Classrooms are moving away from traditional rows and textbooks to a more transformative digital learning environment. And, educators are leading this dynamic shift. As schools work to implement STEM-driven curriculum and digital integration, more educators must take the necessary steps to add “digital leader” to their title. Tomorrow’s classrooms will require students to be strong digital citizens, and educators will be the ones to teach them how to do so.

Be Intentional

The most effective leaders are always visionaries. They have a keen sense of purpose and insight. The same is true for digital leaders. In education, these digital leaders have clear goals they want to pursue with the use of technology and digital resources. They consider how students can use digital tools for success in the long term, as well as thinking about ways to ensure all students have access to technology.

Seek Professional Development

To be a digital leader, one must seek professional development. Fortunately, there are several different options for those searching for professional development classes that will increase their digital literacy skills and courses that teach educators how to use technology in their classrooms. Additionally, some professional development initiatives, such as Discovery Education, works to teach teachers how to be digital leaders and how to spread this knowledge throughout their schools.

Collaborate and Form PLNs

Education always works best when collaboration is involved. In the same way, collaboration is essential for digital leaders. The tools one uses for creating digital classrooms are not limited to one subject area or grade level. Therefore, it is important to work with others across subject areas and grades.

Additionally, those who want to be leaders are not content to simply sit back and teach. These leaders are constantly looking for ways to grow and improve. Digital leaders will work to form professional learning networks (PLNs) where they can seek information and learn about new resources.

Stay Curious and Take Risks

Digital leaders must stay curious and be willing to take risks. Technology and the internet are continuously evolving. The resources and tools teachers use are going to be changing yearly; therefore, the leaders in the school will be those who are willing to try new things and embrace change. Digital leaders will never remain stagnant – their classrooms will be ever-changing.

Train Others

When educators become digital leaders, they will be able to train others how to use technology. For example, leaders will move on to train other teachers how to use technology and digital in their classrooms. Then, as teachers use technology and model digital citizenship, they will train their students as well.

Ultimately, when educators are given access to quality digital tools and are taught how to implement them in the classroom, they can be digital leaders who lead the future generation in the correct use of technology.