Case Study: Providing Tools and Preserving Culture

The client and their challenge

Stephen recently worked with an Auckland school that was seeking a smooth transition from their “partially digital” status quo to more comprehensive digital integration. They hoped to better equip their students for an increasingly digital world and take advantage of what tech can offer, but also preserve their great culture. Part of this was moving from a “devices optional” viewpoint to more widespread use of laptops in classrooms. It was important that they did not lose the “soul” of their school to this digital transformation.

The solution

Addressing the challenge presented took some careful strategy and thought. Rather than attempting to hold generic workshops for the entire staff, we thought it better to target specific change makers and ICT enthusiasts within the school. This serves two purposes: 

• It follows Rogers’ theory of diffusion of innovation to more naturally diffuse new ideas and practices through the staff, beginning with the innovators and early adopters to gain momentum. It also draws on the Kotter model for change management: creating a guiding coalition of passionate people.

• It allows change to come from within the school and its people, protecting the culture and creating opportunities for leadership and advancement.

Stephen worked with and mentored those key people on change management, communication, best practice for the “BYOD” approach, and more. He also provided more governance-focused guidance to senior leaders and the principal.

Of course, there is still a need for all-staff workshops, and one of these took place to educate around a specific and very relevant issue that would affect the whole school—an effective way to reach everybody at once. Stephen communicated not only technological but also pedagogical information: how tech can be used to present content and further learning.

The outcome

This school can now drive its own change! Having the tools to do this themselves means they can preserve their valued culture and steer their waka as they see fit. We worked with them to identify which parts of best practice worked best for them, resulting in a direction and plan that is much more likely to be 1) actually implemented and 2) effective.

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Would you like this kind of targeted help with your own digital challenges? Want to create change that equips learners for the future without losing the heart and culture of your school? Think e-Learning can help you to identify best practice for your unique circumstances and equip the change makers on your staff to drive change. Get in touch and let’s discuss!