I recently presented a short talk to the Association of Tertiary Education Managers (ATEM) about how WelTec is approaching the development of education technology. This ‘high risk’ area is particularly topical for tertiary institution managers. It is considered high risk because education technology is changing so fast and it affects many parts of the institution’s business.
The idea of leading from the middle is not new – it centres on a principle of enabling leadership; the idea that all employees can demonstrate leadership within their own sphere of influence and responsibility. With leading from the middle, behaviour such as initiative-taking and feeling they have permission to act is the focus and the aim is developing organisational capability.
For WelTec, leading education technology change from the middle is more about getting a dynamic cycle of application and review embedded in the culture of the organisation. The need for clear leadership is apparent, but leadership needs to be informed by practice. It is the chicken and the egg conundrum. But, by supporting the construction of faculty eLearning strategies, leading from the middle is able to inform the institution leadership while giving authority and relevance to faculty practice. A concurrent confirmation of of practice and development of strategy.
The video here is a 5 minute summary of the leading from the middle presentation to ATEM
Ralph Springett: Education Technology Manager at WelTec
edtech. ako 