There is great variety in the level and range of resources available to schools, but as
a school leader you can take action not only to better manage your limited resources,
but also to turn available resources into learning tools. An audit of current and
potential resources is a good place to start but you need to remain conscious of how
far resources you identify are equally accessible by all your students. The use of
resources is directly linked to learning outcomes for students. You started to consider
how to motivate your staff, students and other stakeholders. You can work
collaboratively with them on the goals that you have created for your school in this
unit. So, armed with these ideas and tools, you can now lead your school towards a
resource-rich learning environment that makes best use of the circumstances and
realities of your school.
This unit is part of the set or family of units that relate to the key area of transforming
teaching-learning process (aligned to the National College of School Leadership). You
may find it useful to look next at other units in this set to build your knowledge and
skills:
• Leading improvements in teaching and learning in the elementary school
• Leading improvements in teaching and learning in the secondary school
• Leading assessment in your school
• Supporting teachers to raise performance
• Leading teachers’ professional development
• Mentoring and coaching
• Developing an effective learning culture in your school
• Promoting inclusion in your school
• Leading the use of technology in your school
Many learning resources can be used in teaching – not just textbooks. If you offer
ways to learn that use different senses (visual, auditory, touch, smell, taste), you will
appeal to the different ways that students learn. There are resources all around you
that you might use in your classroom, and that could support your students’ learning.
Any school can generate its own learning resources at little or no cost. By sourcing
these materials locally, connections are made between the curriculum and your
students’ lives.
You will find people in your immediate environment who have expertise in a wide range
of topics; you will also find a range of natural resources. This can help you to create
links with the local community, demonstrate its value, stimulate students to see the
richness and diversity of their environment, and perhaps most importantly work
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