ETL 504 Reflections

I have just (well 5 days ago!) handed in my second assignment for this subject. Although I found aspects of this subject more interesting than I anticipated I am very pleased it is over. After just scrapping a pass on the first assignment I am hoping for the same with this assignment. I found it very hard to write a vision statement for a hypothetical setting.  I used the previous school I worked in as a basis but still found it unreal and very hard to motive myself to write the assignment.  I also found it incredibly difficuly to find appropriate references for this assignment and to write it in third person. 

I am even more certain that before that the purpose of a library and all (well most I hope) teachers is to educate their students to help them reach their potential. One quote that I did find useful was from the ACARA website (http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/GeneralCapabilities/General%20capabilities.pdf) that "all students should become successful learners, confident and creative individuals and active and informed citizens." I think that as long as we have the best interests our students in mind we are on the right track!

Here’s to a pass for the assignment and therefore the subject …. I really don’t want to do it again! Next subject I need to blog more:) 

Innovation and Change

I've just finished reading the article by Hargreaves & Fink regarding sustainable leadership. What an interesting article. For innovations to be successful they need to have commitment from staff, contribute to the growth and good of those involved and draw upon resources and support at a rate that can be changed (2003, p. 3). The article also discusses the importance of the leadership style of the principal and how they can positively (or negatively) affect the implementing of the innovation.

To finish I have 2 quotes that the article starts and finishes with:
p. 1. Educational change is rarely easy to make, always hard to justify and almost impossible to sustain.

p. 18. Successful leadership is sustainable leadership; nothing simpler, nothing less.

TL as Leader

Im slowing making my way through this first module and am still finding the whole topic of leadership something that doesn't overly interest me. And having no internet for 3 days made studying rather difficult! Anyway here's my thought in regards to the first module TL as Leader.

As a person who doesn't like to be up the front and leading discussions, let alone anything of importance, I was pleased to read in the Donham article that an important role of the TL is to "Lead from the middle" (2005, p. 301). Im beginning to think that this is such as importance aspect of the TL as most TL don't enter the profession to become leaders, being a leader is a by product! 
Another aspect that I thought important for not only TL's but also for teachers and in fact anyone who wants to improve an area of their life is the importance of reflection and asking yourself on a  regular basis the following four questions:
1. What did I learn today?
2. Whom did I nurture?
3. What challenge did I confront today?
4. How did I make a positive difference today? (Donham, 2005, p. 303)

I'll finish with a couple of quotes that is food for thought:
“Even if I have a misfortune, I thank God, then determine how I can turn he disadvantage into an advantage.” Clement Stone. (Stretton, 2000, p. 18)

"No individual has all the skills–and certainly not the time–to carry out all the complex tasks of contemporary leadership." John Gardner, On Leadership  (Davidson, 2002).


References 

Davidson, J. (2002) Democratic Leadership in Coalition Schools: Why It's Necessary, How It Works

Donham, J. (2005), ‘Leadership’.

Streeton Primary School (2000), ‘The 12 quality principles’.

ETL 504 - TL as Leader

After thoroughly enjoying the last subject, I can't say that I very excited to be doing a subject on leadership.    I am not the up front type and really don't enjoy showing (or telling) other adults what to do. I am hoping that as I start this subject I will see the value of leadership to the TL and see ways that TLs can lead effectively within their school community and relate this to my journey as a potential TL.

ELT503 - Reflection

Have just received my marks for the second assignment and I passed:) So 2 subjects down and 6 to go.

Here are some thoughts on the subject and assignments that I have just completed.

• I have been challenged by the large extent of knowledge the teacher librarian needs to know (or have access to) to effectively assist their teaching colleagues and student body. I have seen the important of having a clear and concise policy that is used by all library staff to ensure that they best assist the library users. Bishop (2007, p. 34) stated that written policies have a multi faceted role by saving staff time, helping library users and staff “avoid confusion and provide guidance”. Through writing this assignment I have began to see how well written policy documents can be a teacher librarians (or teachers) best friend, especially in light of challenged materials. Kennedy (2006, p. 12) talks about how a policy document is like a planning document and through writing this assignment I have began to understand the importance of well written policy document to assist the teacher librarian plan their library collection development.

• I have been challenged by the importance of digital resources and how they, now and in the future, will be a major part of all library collections. I found this particularly hard to write in the policy as there appears to be such a large variety of ways digital resources are obtained and used and retained and I think that this is an area that will constantly develop and need reviewing as new resources become available.

• Of all the reading I have done for this subject, I found the chapter by Debowski (2001) on Collection Management Policies, not only useful but also very interesting. It is clearly stated in the chapter what should be included in a collection management policy and I found the chapter had many practical applications.

I most of this subject interesting, useful and practical for a potential teacher librarian and hope that the next subjects are as interesting.