Topic 6 & Conclusion

4 Habits of Highly Effective Librarians

o   Openess

o   Responsiveness

o   Collaboration

o   Communication

Id say not just to be an effective librarian, but an effective teacher and also a person!
Effective Time Managment
Zone 1. Structured time – in the classroom, scheduled meetings etc.
Zone 2. Unstructured work time - all work related tasks
Zone 3. Your personal life - everything but work
I have struggled to find the balance this semester. I think that I have spent time wasted on unimportant tasks and then had to scramble to complete the important things. I wanted to study to have a little more balance in my life, now I just have to work out the best balance!
I need to take time to plan my day... I have always been a list person, and have tried to use this strategy this semester, I think its working for the zone 3 part of my life  but I could work on this a little more for Zone 1 & 2. I also think that to set aside specific time each week that is study time, would help me fell less out of control!

The Seven Most Critical Challenges Facing Our Profession

I like this quote from Johnson

“Our very vulnerability demands that we as a profession need to continually find ways to strengthen our programs and roles.”

Just finished reading Johnson’s article, what a positive and encouraging article! I enjoyed that he spoke positively about the challenges TLs face rather than a woe is me attitude. If, we as TLs (or potential TLs), are proactive in promoting our professionalism then others will see our attitudes and want to be involved and also see the importance the TL plays in the school environment.

Another quote which caught my eye from the same article

“Let's just face it, good school library resource programs may never be seen as a permanent part of the educational landscape. Gifted and talented programs, art programs, academic and athletic extra-curricular programs and even school counseling programs -- anything in a school that goes beyond one teacher, 30 students and a textbook -- can and will be seen as non-essential by some decision-makers.”

 I think this is very true, each person in life and in schools have different areas that they think are essential. It is up to individuals to promote their programs and have a positive approach to other programs. That age old saying “treat others they way you want to be treated!” I don’t think this means that you need to agree with each other but at least see each others positive influences on the student learning.

Johnson also talks about the importance of collaboration, I feel that this has become one of the main tasks of the TL and have found that I cant help but talk about it in both of my assignments.

Collaboration

My thoughts on last weeks topic - Collaboration

Collaboration is so important for teacher librarians, teachers and students. It is actually something that I am quite passionate about. When working together much better results can be achieve for all involved!

Love this quote from Fullan, M. (1999). Deep meaning of inside collaboration. In Change forces : the sequel (pp. 31-41). London : Falmer Press.

p.31 “collaborative schools are essential for success”

Senge                           

p.12 When you ask people what it is like being part of a great team, what is most striking is the meaningfulness of the experience. People talk about being part of something larger, than themselves, of being connected, of being generative. It becomes quite clear that for many, that their experiences of truly great teams, stand out as singular periods of life lived to the fullest. Some spent the rest of their lives trying to recapture that spirit.

Cibulka, J., Coursey, S.,Nakayama, M., Price, J. & Stewart, S. (2003). Schools as learning organisations: A review of the literature. National College for School Leadership, UK

p.3 They also suggest that teachers are learners, for whom the same principles apply as for children’s learning. Professional development (PD) plans should be based not on the simple notion of ‘updating’ but on continuous growth and change.

I found the section on PD very interesting. Coming from a school where in the 8 years I was there, I only attended on 2 PD seminars outside of the school and am now beginning to see the negative impact this has not only on my teaching but on the all the teachers and therefore on the students learning.

What possibilities arise for collaboration between teachers and the teacher librarian?

I think that the possibilities are endless, the question is more how are TL’s and teachers  prepared to collaborate?

-          Team planning

-          Finding of new resources

-          Implementing new strategies throughout  the Library and classroom

-          General support ( TL’s to teachers and teachers to TL’s)

Listening to Joyce Valenza and I am realising (again) how much I have to learn!

Now reading Manifesto for 21st century school librarians. October and realising even more how much I need to update my technology skills to have a hope of being an effective TL.

What a huge (but worthwhile) aim for TL to implement!

Montiel-Overall, P. (2005). A theoretical understanding of teacher and librarian collaboration, School Libraries Worldwide, 11(2), 24-48.

p. 28 I was surprised to read that a definition for collaboration was hard to define and that collaboration has come to mean “many things to many people”.

p.29 “At a minimum, collaboration involves two individuals working together to accomplish something with minimal effort to maximize efficiency.”

I know this may be a simplistic definition but when you go back to basics this is what collaboration is regardless of the circumstance. I also found it really interesting to read the terminology definitions.

I think that it is great that the author talks about the emotions that are involved in collaboration. When teachers and TL’s enjoy planning something together they are more likely to do it again!

Harvey, C.A. (2004). The Rookie: A primer to help you survive your first year with flying colours, School Library Journal, 50(9), 50–52.

p. 51 A great idea to write a newsletter for staff to keep them up to date with new technologies but also to show you are there to help when needed.

p. 52 Collaboration is easier when people know and respect each

other.

Harada, V.H. (2004). Action research: How teacher-librarians can build evidence of student learning. Scan, 23(1), 27-33.

Enjoyed reading about how the TL can help Lower primary teachers. What a simple but effective way for the TL and teacher to collaborate effectively. I think it was great that both the TL and teacher were experienced and were able to see each other’s expertise and use them to help the students learn and enjoy this process!

Also thought it was great that Harada gave simple guidelines (p.32, 33) for teachers and TLs to implement action research projects in their school. I was unaware of any action research happening that the school where I was working.