Principals' Instructional Leadership in Implementing Deep Learning in Senior High Schools

Abstract

However, even now, learning in public senior high schools is still facing various obstacles such as the domination of memorization teaching strategy, low level of students' involvement in learning, and inadequate development of higher order thinking skills. Thus, the significance of instructional leadership by school principals in transforming learning through deep learning paradigm becomes very apparent. At present, despite growing interest of many countries around the globe toward deep learning as a pedagogic framework, the role of instructional leadership in its implementation process at the secondary education level still remains largely unexplored especially in Indonesia. The current study aimed to investigate the implementation of instructional leadership in deep learning implementation, the strategies used by school principals, and the factors affecting its success or failure. This study used a literature review. Information for analysis was gathered from both national and international peer reviewed journals, books, and scientific publications in Google Scholar, Scopus, and ERIC databases. Content analysis of the collected data has been performed based on Miles et al. (2014) framework. The results of analysis demonstrate that instructional leadership of school principals is an important factor in supporting deep learning through the following aspects: (1) establishing vision of learning; (2) conducting efficient instructional leadership strategies like professional learning community and clinical supervision; (3) incorporating digital technology into the learning process appropriately; (4) developing continuous professional development of teachers; (5) management of supporting and inhibiting factors. Deep learning implementation thus depends largely on the ability of principals to create new quality oriented learning environment. The research will contribute to improvement of educational leadership practice aimed at achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 regarding provision of quality education for all.