Glossary of Educational Leadership Terms

Santiram Dahal

The Glossary terms relevant to the syllabus for Educational Leadership in the Digital Era (ICT Ed 444), designed to support students in understanding key concepts related to educational leadership, management, and digital integration in education.

Educational Leadership: The process of guiding and managing educational institutions to achieve academic goals and improve student outcomes through vision, influence, and strategic direction.
Digital Era: The modern period is characterized by widespread use of digital technologies, impacting teaching, learning, and administrative processes in education.
Instructional Leadership: A leadership approach focused on improving teaching and learning by supporting curriculum development, teacher professional growth, and student achievement.
School Improvement: A systematic process to enhance the quality of education within a school through strategic planning, resource allocation, and performance evaluation.
Curriculum Development: The process of designing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs and courses to meet learning objectives and standards.
Educational Management: The administration and organization of educational institutions, including budgeting, staffing, and policy implementation.
Decision-Making Skills: The ability to analyze situations, evaluate options, and make informed choices to achieve educational goals.
Communication Skills: The capacity to convey information clearly and effectively to stakeholders, including students, teachers, and parents, to foster collaboration.
Transformational Leadership: A leadership style that inspires and motivates followers to achieve higher performance by aligning individual and organizational goals.
Distributed Leadership: A model where leadership responsibilities are shared among various stakeholders, such as teachers and administrators, to enhance school effectiveness.
Strategic Planning: The process of setting long-term goals and determining the best approach to achieve them in an educational context.
Change Management: The structured approach to transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations to a desired future state, as outlined in Kotter’s Leading Change.
Digital Literacy: The ability to effectively and critically use digital tools and technologies to access, manage, and evaluate information.
Blended Learning: An educational approach combining traditional face-to-face teaching with online learning activities.
E-Learning: Education delivered through digital platforms, enabling remote access to learning materials and instruction.
Learning Management System (LMS): A software platform used to deliver, manage, and track online learning and educational content.
Stakeholder Engagement: The process of involving individuals or groups, such as parents, teachers, and community members, in decision-making and school activities.
Professional Development: Ongoing training and education for educators to enhance their skills and knowledge in teaching and leadership.
School Culture: The shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that shape the environment and interactions within a school.
Visionary Leadership: The ability to create and articulate a clear, compelling vision for the future of an educational institution.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Using data and evidence to inform leadership decisions and improve educational outcomes.
Formative Assessment: Ongoing evaluations used to monitor student progress and provide feedback to improve learning.
Summative Assessment: Evaluations conducted at the end of an instructional period to measure student achievement against set standards.
Collaborative Leadership: A leadership style that emphasizes teamwork, shared goals, and collective problem-solving, as discussed in Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last.
Emotional Intelligence: The ability to recognize and manage one’s own emotions and those of others to foster effective leadership and relationships.
Instructional Technology: The use of digital tools and resources to enhance teaching and learning processes.
School Governance: The policies, structures, and processes that guide the operation and oversight of an educational institution.
Ethical Leadership: Leadership guided by moral principles, fairness, and integrity in decision-making and interactions.
Inclusive Education: An approach that ensures all students, regardless of ability or background, have access to equitable learning opportunities.
Accountability: The obligation of educational leaders to answer for their actions and decisions, ensuring transparency and responsibility.
Mentoring: A professional relationship where an experienced leader guides and supports the development of a less experienced colleague.
Team Building: Activities and strategies designed to enhance collaboration and trust among school staff, as emphasized in Sinek’s work.
Organizational Change: The process of altering structures, policies, or practices within an educational institution to improve effectiveness.
Performance Evaluation: The systematic assessment of teacher or staff performance to ensure alignment with institutional goals.
Resource Allocation: The process of distributing financial, human, and material resources effectively to support educational objectives.
Digital Transformation: The integration of digital technologies into all aspects of education to improve efficiency and outcomes.
Pedagogical Leadership: Leadership focused on improving teaching practices and fostering innovative instructional strategies.
Conflict Resolution: The process of addressing and resolving disputes within a school to maintain a positive environment.
Professional Learning Community (PLC): A group of educators who collaborate to improve teaching practices and student learning outcomes.
Authentic Leadership: A leadership approach that emphasizes self-awareness, transparency, and alignment with personal and organizational values.
Technology Integration: The effective incorporation of technology into teaching and learning to enhance educational outcomes.
Student-Centered Learning: An approach that prioritizes students’ needs, interests, and abilities in the design of educational experiences.
School Climate: The overall atmosphere of a school, influenced by its culture, leadership, and relationships among stakeholders.
Servant Leadership: A leadership philosophy where the leader prioritizes the needs of others, fostering a supportive and empowering environment.
Action Research: A reflective process where educators investigate their own practices to improve teaching and learning.
Benchmarking: Comparing school practices and performance with those of other institutions to identify areas for improvement.
Capacity Building: Strategies to enhance the skills, knowledge, and abilities of educators and staff to improve school performance.
Motivational Leadership: Inspiring and encouraging others to achieve their best through positive reinforcement and clear goals.
Educational Policy: Guidelines and regulations that govern the operation and goals of educational systems and institutions.
Continuous Improvement: An ongoing effort to enhance educational processes, practices, and outcomes through reflection and adaptation.