The theory of connectivism in enhancing leadership/ management competences in e-learning in higher education

Abstract

The quality of the change leadership towards curriculum and e-learning in higher education institutions can either advance or inhibit the noble cause being undertaken by online learning initiatives. The main locus of contradiction which contributes to the weak and unclear management and leadership competence for online learning is the lack of proper knowledge of an e-learning environment. This paper argues that there is a shift from the pre-digital management and leadership understanding of curriculum and learning to the new model of management and leadership for e-learning environments. A new type of leadership needs to guide institutions towards online learning. Therefore the aim of this paper is to exploit the affordances of the qualitative and transformative shift that connectivism supported by the socio-technological perspective contributes towards change management in e-learning environments. A literature review supported by case studies at two institutions was observed for reflection on practice in change management towards online learning. An interesting conclusion to this paper points to the need for management and leadership of this century to be continuously and consistently searching for new knowledge from theories of e-learning that can guide them towards the truths and information about e-learning environments. Committing to quality leadership and management creates a flexible and supportive environment that fosters student access and success.

Keywords: Higher education, online learning, e-teaching and learning, connectivism, socio- technological perspectivetheories of e-learning, e-learning, leadership, management, competence.