School Libraries 21C

6 responses so far ↓

• 1    lynhay // Jun 4, 2009 at 2:16 pm

  In this thread, we would like to explore the critical and essential ways a school library of the future will impact on student learning.

  Please share your views with us here. Some people may like to approach this as a list of learning outcomes, others may wish to focus on one particular area of student learning.

  One point of departure for us may be to explore how a school library of the future will support the development of students as digital citizens.

  What are your thoughts?

  Lyn Hay
  School of Information Studies
  Charles Sturt University, NSW

• 2    Belinda McKellar // Jun 10, 2009 at 1:33 pm

  As a Literacy Consultant working in DET schools across a rural region K-12 the key literacy considerations of reading and comprehension are the responsibility of all teachers.

  The TL has the skills to assist classroom teachers in honing these skills to a deeper level particularly when students use their skimming and scanning strategies to access written and virtual texts. However, this is not just about finding information but reaching to that deeper level in assessing and critiquing. It can be too easy to flick through books, magazines and websites careering in too many directions. To access the deep knowledge students need to be explicitly taught how to do this efficiently.

  Students who have mastered a higher level in their information literacy skills are able to apply these to a range of tasks, content areas and stages.

• 3    Judy Hall, Principal // Jun 15, 2009 at 2:08 pm

  I write from a secondary perspective. As a critiquer of sites for more junior students and inexperienced/untrained staff – moving towards assisting students to gain that same critiquing ‘know-how’. This would not necessarily be to teach, but to help it become embedded throught the schools reasearch and information skills program. An enthusiastic mentor/coach of students interested in learning – ie model life long learning skills and assist in their development throughout the school – again more at a program level.
  The TL should also take on a role with staff of assisting them to develop meaningful and ‘doable’ tasks that can assess student outcomes.

• 4    Lee Cutler // Jun 23, 2009 at 9:59 am

  This is a group round table response from the Northern Tablelands Teacher Librarian group. The school involved are a mixture or rural Public, Central and High schools plus a few Private schools in the area who meet every term.

  - To improve critical literacy and integrated learning by catering for individual needs
  - To set up facilities for students to learn at their individual pace to reach their potential rather than follow a generic pathway for all students
  - To allow students to put into place new learning initiatives eg Six Keys
  - Providing students with rich learning via research
  - School Libraries have to have qualifies TL’s who will facilitate this happening

• 5    Joy Henderson // Jul 3, 2009 at 11:43 am

  Question 2d: What would the school library of the future’s key impacts on student learning?
  * the library would have whole school ownership, linking together fragmented parts of the school curriculum and providing a base for self directed student learning. Specialist teachers, careers, welfare would have a physical presence in the library or virtually linked to the library.
  * there would be a friendly safe environment with spaces for study, computer access, reading, individually, in small groups, classes or larger groups.
  * it would be the site of quality teaching, student meetings, debates, parent body meetings, talks, presentations, self directed student learning, Pathways, newsletter, .
  * it would require the cooperation of all library users.
  * it would utilise interactive tools for communication through blogs and wikis.
  * it would provide as much accessibility to the resources housed in and outside the library that make up its collection as possible.
  * it would be open, friendly, accessible, connected and outreaching to all members of the school community.
  * it would be in communication with faculties regarding their needs and how to support them.
  * it would be the cross-curricular base for all parts of the curriculum.
  * impacts on student learning would be measured by survey and evaluation of the library plan on a regular basis.
  *through curriculum centred programs designed and carried out in collaboration between teachers and teacher librarians, students will gain confidence in undertaking resource based research which examines authentic issues of relevance to them. In the process they will learn skills in searching and evaluating resources, and in critical thinking and problem solving.
  *libraries will be equipped with technology appropriate to keeping pace with constant innovation and teacher librarians will be provided with the professional development required to use it effectively. This will allow the potential gulf between technology natives and non-natives to be reduced, and allow teachers to create learning materials which students feel are stimulating and relevant to them.
  The Selective Schools TL Network is grateful for this opportunity to express some of our hopes for the future of our profession.
  Joy Henderson
  North Sydney Boys High School

• 6    Robin Pulver // Jul 8, 2009 at 2:49 pm

  Robin Pulver, Teacher Librarian at Moorefield Girls High School (NSW DET) and Committee Member (15 yrs) of St George Teacher Librarian Network.

  The first impression of the school library for any user is that it be vibrant, welcoming and up-to-date. Personal experience of users should enhance this view. Visiting the library should be a positive experience.

  The key impact on student learning is the realisation that the library is fundamental to student success in assessment and assignment tasks. The teaching of information skills such as the evaluation of websites, selection of material and elementary copyright and plagiarism knowledge is part of the basic development of research techniques.

  The Information Process remains the same in an ever-changing environment and teacher librarians provide the best opportunity for students to develop the basic skills and then enhance these with higher order thinking skills and appropriate questioning techniques.

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