This vodcast amazed me how quickly our information literacy can change!
Sunday, 24 April 2011
Another reason why we need smart TLs
The changing media landscape.
This vodcast amazed me how quickly our information literacy can change!
This vodcast amazed me how quickly our information literacy can change!
Information Literacy - a definition in progress
"Effective learners are not just those who are knowledgeable but rather
they are people who are able to find and use information as required.
they are people who are able to find and use information as required.
It can be said that effective learners are those that are information literate.
Information literacy is synonymous with knowing how to learn.
This means that the ability to process and use information effectively
is more than a basic tool for the empowerment of school students:
it is in fact the basic survival skill for those who wish to be
successful members of the 21st century."
(Learning for the future: developing information services in schools
2001, 2nd edition, p. 2.)
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Project Based Learning
My knowledge of the role of the TL just keeps expanding. Learning about constructivist learning in the curriculum has a strong point with me, coming from an Outdoor education background where various problems, challenges and projects are confronted by the students to get to their destination.
Boss and Krauss (2007) discusses how students can be engaged through Project Based Learning (PBL), to enhance their learning.
Attached is an excellent vodcast on PBL.
Boss and Krauss (2007) discusses how students can be engaged through Project Based Learning (PBL), to enhance their learning.
Attached is an excellent vodcast on PBL.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Assignment 1 ETL 401
Wow, it continues to be an amazing journey, learning about the role of Teacher Librarian (TL)! The role of the TL is so multi-faceted and extensive. I didn't realise how involved and critical the role is, and I believe the majority of teachers including principals don't realise the vital role of the TL. With the TL working collaboratively it can potentially have a massive beneficial impact on the school community.
It was extremely interesting to study the two articles during Assignment 1. Purcell (2010) states the role of the TL is to work together to give the best learning situation for the student. Herring (2007) highlights the AASL point that the TL “works closely with individual teacher in the critical area of designing authentic learning tasks and assessments and integrating the information and communication abilities required to meet subject matter standards” (AASL/AECT 1998, Roles and Responsibilities of the School Media Specialist, paragraph 1).Both the authors agree that the role of the TL is a valuable one and an asset to the functioning of the school library. I think this collaboration role is an essential factor that promotes student learning and success as Purcell (2010) points out that the role of instructional partner allows TLs to “Collaborate with school staff to provide the best learning environment for the student”. Haycock (2007) highlights the benefits of teachers working together in collaboration and described there are benefits for all members involved; teacher, TLs, administrators and especially students. “Collaboration ignited creativity among teacher and the “creative Fire” spread to learners (Haycock,2007 p.25).
The school culture is a pivotal point on how well the TL can accomplish goals in the school based on the school policy. Teachers tend to perform to their perception of what the administrator wants (Haycock 1999). “It would be fair to day the principal is the key factor in developing an effective and integrated school library program” (Haycock, 1999 p83). However I believe the TL needs to highlights all the benefits with evidence, to promote the school library and to facilitate its growth (Haycock 2007). If the TL is friendly and approachable they will be more likely to connect with fellow colleagues and have a good working relationship. TLs need to be authentic and build their credibility as agents of change, to promote their value position and to have the qualifications to match (Oberg, 2006).
Hence I will continue on my study to hopefully gain this qualification and become an agent of positive change towards the students we teach.
Australian School Library Association (ASLA) and Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). (2004). The library standards of professional excellence for teacher librarians, available http://www.asla.org.au/policy/standards.htm
It was extremely interesting to study the two articles during Assignment 1. Purcell (2010) states the role of the TL is to work together to give the best learning situation for the student. Herring (2007) highlights the AASL point that the TL “works closely with individual teacher in the critical area of designing authentic learning tasks and assessments and integrating the information and communication abilities required to meet subject matter standards” (AASL/AECT 1998, Roles and Responsibilities of the School Media Specialist, paragraph 1).Both the authors agree that the role of the TL is a valuable one and an asset to the functioning of the school library. I think this collaboration role is an essential factor that promotes student learning and success as Purcell (2010) points out that the role of instructional partner allows TLs to “Collaborate with school staff to provide the best learning environment for the student”. Haycock (2007) highlights the benefits of teachers working together in collaboration and described there are benefits for all members involved; teacher, TLs, administrators and especially students. “Collaboration ignited creativity among teacher and the “creative Fire” spread to learners (Haycock,2007 p.25).
The school culture is a pivotal point on how well the TL can accomplish goals in the school based on the school policy. Teachers tend to perform to their perception of what the administrator wants (Haycock 1999). “It would be fair to day the principal is the key factor in developing an effective and integrated school library program” (Haycock, 1999 p83). However I believe the TL needs to highlights all the benefits with evidence, to promote the school library and to facilitate its growth (Haycock 2007). If the TL is friendly and approachable they will be more likely to connect with fellow colleagues and have a good working relationship. TLs need to be authentic and build their credibility as agents of change, to promote their value position and to have the qualifications to match (Oberg, 2006).
Hence I will continue on my study to hopefully gain this qualification and become an agent of positive change towards the students we teach.
Australian School Library Association (ASLA) and Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). (2004). The library standards of professional excellence for teacher librarians, available http://www.asla.org.au/policy/standards.htm
Haycock, K (1999). Fostering Collaboration, Leadership and Information Literacy: Common Behaviors of Uncommon Principles and Faculties NAASP Bulletin pp. 82-87
Haycock, K. (2007). Collaboration: Critical Success Factors for Student Learning. School Libraries Worldwide, 13(1): pp. 25-35.
Herring, J 2007. “Teacher librarians and the school library” in Ferguson, S Ed, Libraries in the 21st century: charting new directions in information services. Centre for Information Studies, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW
Oberg, D. (2006). developing the respect and support of school administrators. Teacher Librarian, 33(3), pp 13-18.
Purcell, M. (2010). All Librarians Do Is Check Out Books, Right? A Look at the Roles of a School Library Media Specialist. Library Media Connection, 29(3), pp. 30-33.
Sunday, 27 March 2011
The Role of the Teacher Librarian continues
My journey of learning the vast and amazing role of the teacher librarian continues. This is a fantastic YouTube video which one of the lovely ETL401 students alerted me to.
A major mission is to ensure that our students are effective users and producers of ideas of information and are information literate!
A major mission is to ensure that our students are effective users and producers of ideas of information and are information literate!
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
The Extensive role of the Teacher Librarian
Wow, after my initial readings, my knowledge and definition of the TL has totally expanded.The role of TL is so multifaceted. Purcell's (2010) article identifies the following rolesof a TL as: leader, instructional partner, information specialist, teacher and programme administrator. Does such a person exist with all of these expert attributes??
I am absolutely amazed by the huge amount of work and expectations that is expected of a expert TL, it is quite overwhelming! Doing a timestudy would be a useful process, it would highlight where you are most productive and where you are time wasting. I think the priorities of the library need to be established beforehand, reflected upon and modified if needed. Hence a school library policy is paramount. It needs to facilitated by the TL and heads of school, so the main objectives are listed, implemented and regularly evaluated. The whole school needs to be consulted and informed, so the library or media centre is at the heart of the school.
Coming from a teaching background, I know I could be bias, but I believe the role of the 'teacher' should be up at the top of the list of the roles of TL, if not the top! Look at the title 'Teacher Librarian', the first word is 'teacher'! However, the knowledge of the content, that is, information and technology literacy is also imperative. I believe they go hand in hand, but I am hoping that my passion as a teacher will get me through and I will learn the technical skills along the way via professional development.
Eventhough it is rather daunting, because I don't see myself at all knowledgeable about information literacy, I will continue on my information literacy journey and establish my own ETL401 learning priorities. At the top of this list is doing the essential readings and gathering information for assignment 1!
I am absolutely amazed by the huge amount of work and expectations that is expected of a expert TL, it is quite overwhelming! Doing a timestudy would be a useful process, it would highlight where you are most productive and where you are time wasting. I think the priorities of the library need to be established beforehand, reflected upon and modified if needed. Hence a school library policy is paramount. It needs to facilitated by the TL and heads of school, so the main objectives are listed, implemented and regularly evaluated. The whole school needs to be consulted and informed, so the library or media centre is at the heart of the school.
Coming from a teaching background, I know I could be bias, but I believe the role of the 'teacher' should be up at the top of the list of the roles of TL, if not the top! Look at the title 'Teacher Librarian', the first word is 'teacher'! However, the knowledge of the content, that is, information and technology literacy is also imperative. I believe they go hand in hand, but I am hoping that my passion as a teacher will get me through and I will learn the technical skills along the way via professional development.
Eventhough it is rather daunting, because I don't see myself at all knowledgeable about information literacy, I will continue on my information literacy journey and establish my own ETL401 learning priorities. At the top of this list is doing the essential readings and gathering information for assignment 1!
Friday, 4 March 2011
Inspired by our kids
Recently, I have been inspired by my 8 year old son, Liam. This year, his school librarian has introduce their class to the Premiers Reading challenge. See link www.education.vic.gov.au/prc/
He had already read the 15 books which is the required amount needed at the end of September 2011. He has really got into reading, perhaps it is an accumulation of our weekly visits to the local library, or perhaps the bug has just bitten him! I believe this is a definite role of the TL to inspire and motivate children to read.
He had already read the 15 books which is the required amount needed at the end of September 2011. He has really got into reading, perhaps it is an accumulation of our weekly visits to the local library, or perhaps the bug has just bitten him! I believe this is a definite role of the TL to inspire and motivate children to read.
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