Digital learning outside the classroom in primary schools during Covid19 – The role of school leaders in school organisation

Abstract

The aim of the research was to investigate the organisational functioning of primary schools in the context of the development of extra-curricular learning work arrangements, based on information on the decision-making of heads of institutions. In May 2020, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with heads of 34 primary schools. The institutions are implementers of the Complex Basic Programme and were selected on the basis of the type of municipality, size of the institution and pedagogical added value. Based on the research, a general model of managerial tasks for the development of an extracurricular learning work system was established: (1) opportunity analysis, (2) capacity building, (3) choice of online media, (4) setting expectations for learning, (5) feedback-based management and (6) dealing with the problem of inaccessible learners. The coherence of the use of the digital platform has proved to be indicative of the organisational performance of the institution. However, the way in which the organisation operates is not linked to the success of the institution: heads of institutions that made decisions on the basis of discussion could be as capable as those that relied on authority - hierarchical decision-making. Informed decision-making was of crucial importance. This raises the question of whether ideal-typical organisational models, such as the learning organisation model, can be generalised in terms of leadership style.