18.1: Introduction
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From cell phone, text, and instant messaging to podcasting, wikis, and blogs, the ability to connect and communicate with anyone in the world at any time is at our fingertips. When it comes to learning, technology is changing traditional notions about how instruction is delivered, and how learning is organized. Educational technologies are being used to create and present digital media, simulations, and environments that enhance, and in many cases replace, traditional textbooks, chalkboards, worksheets, and classrooms. Computers and the Internet connect instructors and learners in remote locations, and computer-mediated learning materials enable users to engage in learning when they choose,, rather than according to a classroom schedule. This use of educational technologies to support teaching and learning can be described as e-learning, and it is transforming the business of education and training.
It is one thing to have innovative technology, and preach about its ability to transform and revolutionize learning;. it is another to actually make this happen within traditional, structured education and training environments. Sound leadership and change management skills are key to implementing the use of new educational technologies to support e-learning programs and foster transformation. While leadership, reform and change management have been well studied and documented, little has been written about the role leaders play in the success or failure of e-learning program design, development, and implementation. Traditional theoretical and practical constructs do not adequately reflect emerging e-learning environments, yet transformational leadership theory provides insight into fundamental assumptions about change, control, order, organizations, people, and leadership in implementing e-learning programs. Promising research affirms the critical role of leadership in systemic change for e-learning design, development, and delivery, and confirms that without a clear vision combined with collaborative leadership, organizations could end up committing precious resources to the development and deployment of courses for e-learning without much success.