Online School: – Milo, a 16-year-old student, is enrolled in an online school, but he is different from his classmates. He often feels he doesn’t belong there and always keeps himself grounded. He doesn’t raise his hands to ask doubts or to give answers to the easiest of questions asked by the teachers during live classes. He also gets easily convinced by anyone who speaks confidently before him, even when he knows they are lying or wrong. He lacks self-esteem and hesitates to take a stand for his views. That behavior worries his parents; they feel his strengths and identity are getting lost every day.
Is Milo One of a Kind?
Milo’s case resembles the story of a regular next-door child who lacks self-esteem. However, we must also ask ourselves whether Milo is a special case or an indication of a more significant global issue. Research suggests that Milo is not alone, as it is a global phenomenon in education, affecting millions of students since the pandemic forced classrooms to shift to the online mode.
Online schools, as a concept itself, are quite new and have a different educational set-up than traditional schools. Here, classes and all allied activities are held virtually using digital tools and platforms, which sometimes becomes challenging for children who are less exposed to the digital environment. While online schools have been a boon for remote learners, especially challenged introverts and socially less active students, a lack of physical interaction with teachers and classmates has also impacted students’ social and psychological development. Since leadership quality generally emanates from self-confidence, which is inculcated by parents and teachers, in virtual classes, it requires a different approach.
In virtual classrooms, the role of educators has changed for obvious reasons, including remote operations and lesser control over children’s actions or inactions. However, parents and teachers need to pay attention and develop leadership qualities in students to enable them to take ownership of their actions. Through leadership quality, students become decision-makers of tomorrow, thus transforming their lives and career prospects. Let us understand the key aspects of leadership quality and how it can be developed in an online school.
What Are Leadership Skills in Students?
Leadership skills are leading, inspiring, and communicating productively to reach shared goals. It may include confidence in communication, goal setting, and striving for collective well-being. As popularly believed, leadership isn’t always about controlling people and power but also about facilitating a collective good in public or private life. In the 21st century, it is believed to be one of the crucial qualities to have to achieve success in any aspect of life, be it studies, career, or relationships.
Importance of Leadership Skills
Having leadership qualities has become important to survive in today’s fast-paced world. It helps students tackle academic or personal challenges, and it impacts their personality development. Leadership skills make a student shine in the crowd and open the door to better job opportunities, thus securing a good standard of living. Therefore, if your child is enrolled in an online school, you must ensure they acquire and practice leadership skills because it will help them in all aspects of their lives.
Although developing leadership skills takes a lot of effort, once students pay attention and practice regularly, they become unbeatable. A good leader focuses on providing others with space and an environment where everyone feels welcomed and respected.
What is Leadership Skills in Students?
Leadership skills have broad meanings and even more comprehensive applications; however, we have selected a few top skills that every student must develop while studying in an online school.
Clear Vision:
A clear vision gives us the right direction and keeps us focused on the desired goals. Students who have a clear vision also represent their ideas smoothly and can persuade others to follow and work for that vision. While studying in an online school, you must stay focused on your goals and targets. Digital devices and apps may challenge and distract you, but with constant reminders and self-discipline, you can beat any distraction and stay on course.
Courageous:
Courage is an important virtue, and every good leader must have the qualities to take risks. Courage is also important because it helps us take the first step and overcome our fears. Children who aren’t afraid of taking risks and worrying about the outcomes become brave leaders in the future and handle tough situations calmly. Therefore, be courageous and don’t shy away from making the first move or raising your hands to ask questions in an online school session. If you don’t understand a concept, raise your doubts, and this way, you will also get popular in the class because others may find you as their savior in resolving a similar doubt.
Communicative:
A good leader is always a good orator because being able to communicate clearly and effectively leaves no space for any miscommunication or confusion. Students who represent their views clearly and are open to other opinions with a welcoming mindset are liked by all. They also become influencers because they can refine others’ perspectives like a leader. Practice communication skills as much as possible, use audio-video tools and recordings, and watch yourself in action. This way, you can master the art of communication and soon become an excellent orator.
Strong Principles:
A true leader leads by example, not just by his words but actions. Your ideals drive your actions, and that shows how much conviction you have in your principles. Having strong values and principles reflects what is important to the person. The ones who uphold their core values at any cost are honest leaders. Always do what you promise to observe how perceptions change about you.
Empathetic:
Empathy is a virtue that gives us the ability to understand other’s perspectives and to respond to their experience. All are empathetic, and students are automatically attracted to them. Empathetic students are always kind and open to considering other views. They possess a caregiving nature and are compassionate towards even the other species. In an online school or class, you can use digital tools and methods to show empathy towards your classmates. For example, you can help them out in times of difficulty, respond and console them when they feel low due to a bad score or rough day, etc. This attitude will make you the most loved person in the batch and a true leader.
Let’s now find out the types of leadership for students and how to develop them.
Types of Leadership For Student
Academic Leaders:
They are those students who excel in their studies and are good at inspiring other students. They help others solve their doubts, lead study discussions, and teach their peers to help them improve their weaker areas.
Technical Leaders:
They are students proficient in using digital technology, like accessing different study platforms and software, etc. They support other kids in operating the platform smoothly and help their peers if they face any troubleshooting issues.
Social Leaders:
These students possess excellent interpersonal skills, create a community for other students, and motivate them to interact with each other. They help students with their social anxiety by hosting virtual events and discussions among the students to help them come out of their comfort zones and interact with other students.
Inclusive Leaders:
These students promote creating a welcoming environment for everyone, irrespective of their background, perspectives, and abilities. They promote diversity and equality among the class and make everyone feel they belong here.
Steps to Build Leadership Qualities in Students
Encouragement:
Encouragement is the key to keeping someone on track. Encouraging students helps them leave their comfort zones and be more confident and resilient.
Opportunities to Lead:
Providing students ample opportunities to lead projects, discussions, and extracurricular activities will greatly improve their overall personalities.
Developing Skills:
Helping the students improve their interpersonal skills will make a huge impact and enable them to interact with people better. A strong leader is always a good communicator and leads by personal and professional examples.
Feedback:
Providing students with genuine feedback will give them insights for further improvement. Honest feedback can change a student’s life and make him/her a good leader by eliminating the bad habits individually.
Motivation:
While it sounds similar to encouragement, motivation is also about celebrating the student’s performance, which will eventually lead the children to feel more driven to do better.
If you want your child to have these leadership qualities and become their most confident selves, choose the best online school. We believe International Schooling is the perfect choice for you due to its global classrooms and diversity in cultural exposure. This Cognia, USA-accredited online school offers an American curriculum and an engaging learning environment where students are exposed and encouraged to take initiative and learn from their experiences, making them true leaders.
The American curriculum is world-renowned to help foster leadership skills in students from the kindergarten level. It also offers many extracurricular activities to children, such as debates, discussions, and quizzes, that help them come out of their comfort zones and participate actively. That makes the student push through limits and enhances their confidence. Student-led clubs are another highlight that is a great way to develop your leadership skills because exposure to many different views helps you create a broader perspective on things. International schooling has produced top student leaders who are already studying at prestigious universities and have led various academic and cultural clubs in their respective colleges over the years. Therefore, it is the right place for your child to study and hone their leadership qualities to become the decision-makers of tomorrow.
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Mira Lew
Jul 26, 2024
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