Abstract
This chapter is directed towards leaders of K-12 e-learning schools who do not have a background in online learning or instructional design. The systemic perspective taken in this chapter gives the e-learning leader a holistic understanding of the various people and parts that comprise e-learning K-12 schools. Introducing the variety of colloquial terms used in online schooling gives new leaders some standard language. Tackling issues of supporting students, giving clear expectations for parents, selecting curricula, ensuring equitable access to resources, and maintaining a sense of innovativeness balanced with transparency are discussed. Each of these issues has significant potential impact to the system and should not be selected in isolation from other decisions. Embracing a bottom-up change approach where power is reimagined among stakeholders should be adopted to gather buy-in from your school community. Following this, practical suggestions are given to react to these issues systemically by considering reactions to change and including stakeholders in important decisions. These suggestions should be taken with consideration of your local context and modified to fit your school population. Readings identified as critical for the implementation of these suggestions are identified and should be used in association with the action you implement.
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Appendix: Penn State Qualtrics Survey Online Readiness
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Raish, V., Schroth, S., Carr-Chellman, A. (2018). Leading e-Learning Schools from a Systemic Perspective: A Guide for K-12 Leaders. In: Piña, A., Lowell, V., Harris, B. (eds) Leading and Managing e-Learning. Educational Communications and Technology: Issues and Innovations. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61780-0_25
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