Leading in a Social World

​If you follow me on social media, you know that I am in the final stretch of my coursework for my Master's in Educational Administration. The class that I am taking right now is called Executive Communications and it is RIGHT up my alley! With PDAS going away and T-TESS coming, the PDAS class for my degree was dropped and this class replaced it. I am happy about that! Of the 7 (Yes, SEVEN) books that I have to read over the next 7 weeks, this book intrigued me the most. As immersed as I am in social media, I am always looking for ideas on how to use the various mediums more effectively in the educational setting.

Dr. Brian J. Dixon wrote Social Media for School Leaders: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting the Most Out of Facebook, Twitter, and Other Essential Web Tools from his experience as a high school principal. His field experience and use of the technology tools explained in the book makes this guide an essential piece to round out any school leader. Dixon hit the nail on the head when he said “the abundance of social technology has begun to shift the role of the school leader from the site administrator to community engagement specialist." School leaders are not just building managers or just instructional leaders; they are expected to navigate the waters of social media and web tools to connect with the school community. This navigation can get difficult when trying to translate the personal use, or no use, of social media to the educational area. Dixon says "school leaders…are familiar with social media in their own lives, but because of the complex issues surrounding the use of social media with students they need help effectively using social media in their school practice."

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The abundance of social technology has begun to shift the role of the school leader from the site administrator to community engagement specialist. -Dr. Brian J. Dixon

I loved this book. Out of the stack of books sitting on my desk for this class, this is the one that I have been the most excited about reading. Social media and educational technology are my passions and I’m blessed that I get to work in my passions every day. Understandably, a few web tools listed in the book have changed dramatically or have disappeared all together since the publication of this book in 2012. Technology changes so drastically that it’s hard for a printed book to stay relevant. What keeps Social Media for School Leaders relevant is that it gives detailed “how to” for each tool and wonderful application examples. I was impressed at the layout, sequence, and information presented and found myself looking up each unfamiliar tool while reading the book. 

In the preface of the book, Dixon explains that he wrote this book for all types of people – the technophobic, the cautious, the early adopter, and the non-educator. I am definitely the early adopter but many principals and district administrators are either cautious or technophobic. This book is a great resource for any administrator regardless of their technological ability. You should check it out!

Keeping it Techy,
Heather

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