Top tips for navigating the online digital leaders programme

Here are Jo and Paula’s top tips for navigating the programme.

Schedule time to reflect

Taking time to reflect is a key part of the programme but unlike attending a physical event, you need to be disciplined. Paula says:

“When you attend training in person, you’re immersed, you can switch off your phone and emails and distance yourself from work. 

"With the online programme, you need to be quite structured and build in time to think about what was discussed, otherwise you can get distracted by the day job.”

For Jo, she needed a metaphorical car, bus or train journey.

“After the second week, I blocked out time before and after each session just to give me that space to prepare and reflect but also to make sure I was capturing all my ideas.”

Building in time to reflect was a key learning from the programme. Jo says:

“We’re currently planning our level 3 digital teaching qualification and we’re building in time at the end of each session for the teachers to reflect.”

Participants completing the digital leaders programme are awarded a digital badge and given the opportunity to achieve further badges by demonstrating how the course has impacted their personal and professional practice. Writing an action plan and reflecting is an important part of that process.

Describing this as a positive takeaway, Jo says:

“Some actions were personal and some of them were for the service, so it's helped me set my new targets for this year with my line manager.’’

For Paula, being able to write an action plan made her focus on the priorities.

“Sometimes you just need to step back and think what’s important at this moment and time, or in the next three months.”

Build a network

Both Jo and Paula were looking to build a network, to learn from others and share experiences. Paula explains:

“The programme enables you to meet like-minded people, who understand the challenges you face.”

Being from an Adult Community Learning (ACL) background, Jo was initially unsure if the course would be relevant for her.

Jo says:

“I don’t want anyone to think it’s not right for them because they’re not from traditional FE or HE. Everything applied to my role.  We are all in the same situation and have the same stumbling blocks in one shape or form.”

Paula, Jo, and another colleague now meet virtually every month to discuss new tools and shared practices. Paula is the only one exploring the potential for future learning technologies at her organisation, so her peers are a powerful resource.

Our digital leadership and culture forum on Microsoft Teams, is now open to all members and aspiring digital leaders. Paula says:

“We know there’s always the opportunity to go there and ask for support or guidance, or just find out what other people are doing.”

Trying out tools

On the programme you’ll be introduced to a range of tools you can use back at your organisation.   For Jo, being introduced to these models was an unexpected but welcomed part of the programme. 

“I’ve found the tools useful, particularly in terms of getting engagement from colleagues in the teaching team and wider service leadership team.”

Paula says:

“The digital perceptions task we did using the Johari Window was good. I did the exercise with colleagues, teaching staff and members of our SLT. It was interesting to see the similarities and differences, but more importantly it made me reflect on how I present myself when I’m interacting with these two different groups.”

During the programme, participants were asked to draw where their organisation is now and where they think it will be in ten years' time. Both Paula and Jo found this to be an important tool. Jo says:

“I shared my drawing with my principal. It was useful for facilitating discussion and getting feedback on how I see my role and the service progressing.”

Don’t be afraid to use technology

Learning how to lead, manage, and influence digitally driven change across your organisation, departments, services, and teams is one of the programme objectives.

Paula says:

“You need to be passionate about technology and about the power of technology to transform and enhance what we do. You need to lead by example, so if you’re asking other people to try new technologies, don’t shy away from doing that yourself.”

Currently working with colleagues to develop a new digital strategy, Paula will be using her experience on the digital leaders programme to help drive this change. 

“The support we get from Jisc is key to helping us move forward. We’ve reached out to our relationship manager, and she’s been invaluable in making sure we know what resources and support are available. We’ve booked a vision for change workshop; we’ve been looking at the elevation model and reviewing the digital capabilities tool.”

Keep the momentum

Reflecting on what lies ahead, both Jo and Paula agree that to achieve digital transformation, you need to keep momentum.  Jo says:

“Having some of those tools that give you the opportunity to work with others, I think, for me that will be valuable, especially over the next 6-12 months.”

Paula adds:

“Getting people to look at things in a slightly different way so that we’re not just adding on technology we’re embedding it and keeping that momentum going forward,”

A successful digital leader will use technology effectively in their role and model that to the people they work with.

Jo says:

“We all have ‘sceptics and enthusiasts’ in our organisations.  It's making sure that we know how we can bring them along without making it a difficult process. We don't want a carrot and stick situation, we want people to willingly come on the journey,’’

Summing up their time on the programme, Jo says:

“It was an absolutely great experience.”

And Paula’s advice to anyone thinking about signing up?

“If you get the opportunity to participate, just go for it, but make sure you fully engage with all the activities."