Digital Literacy of School Leaders: What Impacts in Schools? Results of Two Studies from Portugal

This paper presents the results from two studies concerning a project conducted in secondary Portuguese schools. The first study is focused on the school members responsible for the development of projects related to digital literacies. The second study is a case study that aims to understand the perceptions and use of technologies by teachers and students. Through these studies it is possible to identify the skills profile of school leaders, particularly in terms of digital literacy, and to relate this profile with the local implementation of pedagogical practices involving digital technologies. The results show that as a consequence of the implementation of the Technological Plan for Education, schools were equipped with appropriate technological resources and teachers developed digital literacy skills. Skilled leaders in digital literacy revealed encouraging attitudes towards their colleagues and students. These leaders have a transformational leadership profile that, according to literature, generates a better environment for the involvement of different educational actors.

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