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.

Information Literacy

What differences are there in the definitions of information literacy that you have been introduced to?

I never realised how important Information literacy is to learners. Although the term is relativity new to me, I am sure that I have seen it with other titles!  I am also amazed at the number of information literacy models there are.

I think so far, I like Kuhlthau model. I like the fact that Kuhlthau talks about feelings .I certainly felt anxiety at the beginning of starting our first assignment.

What are your views on Guided Inquiry? What advantages, challenges and/or disadvantages do you see for a TL wishing to implement a GI approach?

I love the fact that students are responsible for their learning and that teachers and teacher librarians are there to support and guide the students. Guided Inquiry seems like a fantastic teaching strategy for middle and senior schools. As lower primary teacher, I wonder how this strategy can be used in the effectively in the classroom? Concept mapping is a great strategy the lower primary so was rather excited to read the article by Herring using concept maps.

How can teacher librarians and teachers encourage students to transfer information literacy skills and practices?

·         Time to plan collaboratively with teachers and TLs is essential.

• Being open to try new ways of teaching
• Asking for feedback from students to see if the teaching strategies are working and to see what areas the students want more help

Has the school in which you work (or know best) developed an information literacy policy?     

Not that I am aware of but I will investigate and ask my former colleagues if there is one.

Should this be an essential policy for a 21st century school? 

Absolutely essential now that literacy has changed and developed so much in the last 30 years.  Being information literate is now of vital importance to being a functioning member of society no matter what your profession.

How is information literacy approached in your school or experience? Do you see gaps in the approach used, and if so, where? 

Information Literacy in the form of internet use and connection has been brought forward greatly in the last few years but teacher professional development to use these new technologies is lacking.

How can a transliteracy approach expand the teaching role of the TL beyond the traditional information literacy paradigm?

No idea! Will need to do more reading and research!

Overall all thoughts on Information Literacy

I’m beginning to see the reasons for the blogs and forums!! I great way for us as students to reflect on what we know and define our thoughts further! And for our lecturers to monitor our progress in learning.

I am wondering what information literacy in the early years looks like as most of the reading were based on middle and senior years of schooling. Something else to investigate in my spare time!

Overwhelmed

This week I have felt completely overwhelmed with the amount of reading that needs to be done. It doesn’t help that I began this week a week behind as last week all I could focus on was my assignment! This week’s topic of Information Literacy is so big and there are so many readings including case studies, full of lots of big words that I just want to bury my head in the sand and forget about this topic! However, I know that a major part of the next assessment in based on Information Literacy so this may not be the smartest idea I’ve had!  

I’m in two minds about receiving my marks back for my first assignment. I am fairly happy with the first part and not so happy with the second part. Part of me is looking forward to seeing how I can improve for the next assignment and the other part of me is a little afraid that I may not have passed! Anyway nothing can be done now but to wait.

Best get back to the readings!

Topic 3 – TL and the Curriculum

Webnair notes

·         Literacy is a passion and purpose that underpins all our work!

·         We need to teach students how to read words, images, sounds, video interaction simultaneously.

·         http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/

·         There are many ways the TL can be connected with the curriculum

·         http://www.bie.org/about/what_is_pbl

·         http://www.edutopia.org/10-tips-assessment-project-based-learning-resource-guide

·         http://www.pbl-online.org/pathway2.html

Problems/ Barriers to Inquiry based learning:

·         It’s a different of teaching and some people are reluctant to change what “has been working”!

·         May initially take more time as the students are not spoon fed but need to find information themselves

·         Teachers and TLs need to develop new skills and teaching strategies to use inquiry based learning

Inquiry based learning : children learn by doing it

Reflections on my teaching practice

I guess over the last few years, while either being pregnant or having very young children, teaching become a just a job that paid the bills. Before children it was easy to spend hours planning, preparing and marking. Since children I found that I had to find the quickest way to get things done. Professional Development became non-existent as I was just trying to keep on top of the essentials! I am finding that studying is opening my mind to how much help and professional development is out there, you just have to find it. I think that when I return to teaching in the future, I will be better prepared to get the balance better and continue to improve my teaching.

http://del.icio.us – a useful site where you can bookmark important/favourite pages.

Just finished reading the excerpt from Boss and Krauss, and found it really interesting. I have heard of Project Based Learning but not seen it in practice. It seems like a great way to for students to learn. I was really impressed with the way they gave some very basic instructions regarding how to set up blogs, etc. For someone who is learning lots about technology and its uses, I found this reading very informative. It has also shown me ways to improve my teaching practice.

Forum Questions

What is an appropriate role for the teacher librarian in curriculum development?

TLs should be collaborating with classroom teachers, to ensure the resources available for appropriate and useful and to keep current with that classroom teachers need.

What benefits can a school obtain from the active involvement of the teacher librarian in curriculum development?

Should a principal expect that teachers would plan units of work with the teacher librarian?

As ideal as this would be, I don’t think it is practically going to work all the time. It would be physically impossible for TLs to be involved in all units of work and not all teachers would appreciate/see the value of this. However, being available for teachers may be a more practical way.

How are students disadvantaged in schools that exclude the teacher librarian from curriculum development?

More heads/thoughts= more ideas/better outcomes

Done!

Have just submitted my first assessment in over 10 years. I must say  a rather scary thing! Overall, I think I am happy with what I have written and am hoping for a pass. Well, now I must go and spend some time with my family and then catch up on this week module! Good luck to all others still going...

The Role of the Teacher Librarian

Topic 2 - Activity - My thoughts to the following questions!

How should TLs prioritise the roles they play in the school?

I think that the priorities of the TL’s role will change depending on the school they are working in. Some schools will be more up to date with technologies; therefore the TL needs to be up to date as well. Some schools are not so up to date, so I think that part of the role in these schools would be to help these schools (over time) get up to date.  The TL role in the school should also be discussed with the stakeholders and the TL to see how the TL can best assist the school, teachers and students to learn and use the facilities most effectively. Once this has been established the TL could spend some time working out and planning where he/she wants/needs to take the Library.

Are there other roles played by TLs, e.g. social roles?

Schools are social places and therefore the role of the TL needs to involve this. Simple ways to effectively and positively play a part in the social aspect of the school, could be to be approachable, be happy to help, asking teachers and students what they need.  Another aspect would be to be involved in other aspects of school life, eg sports carnivals, so that the TL is seen as a person and not  a stranger who lives in the Library.

How do Lamb and Johnson's views on the TL's role compare and contrast with those of Purcell?

Lamb & Johnson identify 3 roles, Technologist, Teacher Leader & Collaborator. I think that Purcell extends these and gives them more defined roles. Technologies matches with Purcell’s Information Specialist, Teacher Leader has been split in to 2 separate parts.  I think that Collaborator incorporates teacher, and leader. I think that Lamb & Johnson fail to incorporate the Program Administrator, even though these mundane tasks can be done by anyone, it is important that the TL oversees this aspect.

What existing tasks/roles do you think you as a TL could give up in order to be as proactive as Lamb and Johnson want you to be?

I think the Lamb & Johnson want the basic tasks, such as cataloguing, shelving books should be given up. To a point I agree however,  these tasks need to be done. I guess that they want a Library assistant to complete these tasks. I think however that it would be a shame if a TL was above this basic tasks and from time to time should do them to ensure that they are involved in all aspects of the Library.

Whether you agree with the roles Purcell identifies

 I do agree with her roles, as I think that she identifies that each role is varied and can involved more that what she has stated. Maybe that’s were Herring’s article is more descriptive. Maybe she is trying to be more concise!

 Whether you would change the order of the roles she identifies, e.g. should teacher come first.

I don’t think that any one part of the role of the TL is more important, as all are important and when they are combined it is the most effective a TL can be!