Digital Leadership - Vision

Image by TheDigitalArtist

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital technology, I find myself drawn toward a vision of becoming a competent and creative communicator and designer who leverages technology to enhance educational development, spiritual growth, collaboration, and community building. This vision isn't limited to my personal growth but extends to the small group chapel leaders and participants within the context of Abilene Christian University (ACU).

One of the key aspects of this vision is to empower small-group chapel leaders to transition from passive technology consumers to proactive innovators. I firmly believe that technology, when used creatively and intentionally, can amplify the impact of small-group interactions and enhance community building. By introducing innovative technological use and approaches, SGC leaders can enhance collaboration, foster deeper communal bonds, and facilitate spiritual growth within their groups. For instance, they can connect while doing a chronological Bible study using the Community Bible Study App.

To support and promote this vision, I recognize the need to acquire and hone specific skills. Highfill's assertion that "The Digital Age allows us to expand the way we teach" (Highfill, 2016) underscores the importance of continuously developing skills to effectively leverage technology for educational and spiritual purposes. As a digital leader, I aim to equip myself with the knowledge and expertise needed to guide SGC leaders in utilizing technology for the betterment of their small groups. Since then, it's essential for me to prioritize skill development, engage in continuous professional technological development, foster collaboration, initiate pilot projects, share resources, create tailored professional development opportunities, assess impact and gather feedback, build a sense of community, provide leadership development, advocate for digital leadership, conduct research, encourage collaborative projects, reflect continuously, and scale successful initiatives. Through these strategies, my vision can be realized within the small group chapel context at ACU and beyond, enriching the spiritual experiences of participants and strengthening the community's bonds.

Additionally, I intend to contribute to ACU's development as a visionary plan for technology use in small group chapels. This involves engaging with stakeholders, including the Dean of the Office of Spiritual Formation, to collaboratively shape a forward-thinking approach to technology integration. McLeod's insight that schools must move beyond basic replication with digital devices resonates with this endeavor (McLeod, 2018). It emphasizes the importance of not just adopting technology but using it innovatively to address the evolving needs of our communities.

Furthermore, sharing our successes, innovations, and challenges with others is crucial in fostering a culture of continuous improvement. By showcasing the positive outcomes and lessons learned from our technology-driven initiatives within ACU and the Chapel office, we can inspire and inform others in similar contexts. This aligns with the idea of using technology as a catalyst for deeper learning and community engagement, as advocated by McLeod and Graber.

In terms of engaging stakeholders at all levels to develop and implement a shared vision for technology, I envision employing a framework that emphasizes collaboration by encouraging the sharing of ideas and professional inquiry. We are a big community and I know that in the face of a problem, there is power in collaboration. This framework will involve active participation from all stakeholders, including the students, and the broader ACU community, to collectively shape and refine our approach to technology integration.

In the end, my vision as a digital leader is rooted in the belief that technology can be a powerful tool for enhancing spiritual growth, collaboration, and community building. It extends beyond personal growth to encompass the empowerment of small group chapel leaders and participants within ACU. If I only acquire the necessary skills, engage stakeholders, and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, I will contribute to the realization of this vision and make a meaningful impact in the realm of digital leadership within my ACU community.

References

Greenhow, C., Sonnevend, J., & Agur, C. (Eds.). (2016). Education and Social Media: Toward a Digital Future. The MIT Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1c2cqn5

Jung, Y., Kim, Y., & Park, J. (2016). Social media use for collaborative learning: Implications for learning and teaching. The Internet and Higher Education, 29, 63-70

Highfill, L. (2016). The HyperDoc Handbook: Digital Lesson Design Using Google Apps. EdTechTeam Press.

McLeod, S., & Graber, J. (2018). Harnessing Technology for Deeper Learning (1st ed.). Solution Tree Press.

TheDigitalArtist. (n.d.). Eye Information Technology Digital. [Photograph]. Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/eye-information-technology-digital-3374462/

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