S.W.A.T. (So What About That?) In a 21st Century Learning environment where information literacy and technology are integrated into curriculum, what is the role of the Library Media Specialist?
We need to be the guides in helping the teachers feel comfortable having a team teach their students. Whether the team is the teacher and the librarian, the teacher and another teacher, or students working together, these collaborative efforts will aid their students in building their use of technology and their understanding of the curriculum. We can be the extra set of hands providing instruction and assistance. If the librarian and teacher work together as a teaching team the students will benefit from the expertise of two professionals. If we work together as a team, they will see the benefits and want to provide more opportunities for their students to learn through the library with large research units as well as through weekly visits for specialized instruction on online resources and introduction to new technology. We can not sit back and wait for the teachers to come to us. We have to know their curriculum, what they are doing, and be the one to approach them with ideas. Once we have stepped in the door and show the teachers what we have to offer, most of them will be knocking down the door to come back and work together.
We need to be the instructors for use of online databases and other library resources, and we need to be available for refresher instruction at point of need. I think we need to instruct the teachers so they have a clear understanding of the resource and then be the main instructor with the teacher as support for classroom instruction of online resources.
For students we need to be another teacher they can count on for instruction. We are not simply the one who checks their book out to them or tells them they have an overdue book. We have been trained as teachers and we need to accept that role when students need instruction. When the class comes together as a whole for research or library instruction, or when one student comes to the library for individual instruction.
When staff and parents come into our libraries, we need to be able to help them find the materials they need to assists their student(s). We also need to make sure they have an understanding of the technology available so they do not feel completely dependent on us if we are helping someone else. By providing our patrons with the tools they need to find, explore, and develop their information literacy skills we are building our community of learners.
I agree with Texas Library Lady. We occupy the role of teacher, whether the patron approaching us is a student, a parent, or a fellow teacher. We need to become comfortable with our resources and available technology so that we can teach them, support them, and encourage them--all the while making them feel comfortable, too.
I think some people feel that "librarian" and "teacher" are mutually exclusive roles. This is definitely not so!
I feel my role is to help the teachers find resources and to help them with ideas for how they can integrate technology as a tool to get students thinking on a higher level. For me, the point of education is to learn how to think, and technology is just one tool that can be used toward achieving this goal. Helping both teachers and students find access to information and new ways of thinking is one of my main goals as a media specialist.
AGENDA: Irving ISD August 12, 2008 * Changing K-12 Landscape * 21st Century Learning * S.W.A.T. Activity * Standards for Library Media * NETS and Information Literacy * Engaged Learners * Thinking Skills * Complex Thinking Skills in Literature * Panic or Plan? * H.E.A.T. * LoTi Framework * LoTi and Information Literacy * Raising the H.E.A.T. with on line resources * Summary and Reflections
4 comments:
Not sure if we are supposed to post our LoTi, PCU, and CIP results. But here goes...
LoTi - 4a
PCU - 7
CIP - 5
We need to be the guides in helping the teachers feel comfortable having a team teach their students. Whether the team is the teacher and the librarian, the teacher and another teacher, or students working together, these collaborative efforts will aid their students in building their use of technology and their understanding of the curriculum. We can be the extra set of hands providing instruction and assistance. If the librarian and teacher work together as a teaching team the students will benefit from the expertise of two professionals. If we work together as a team, they will see the benefits and want to provide more opportunities for their students to learn through the library with large research units as well as through weekly visits for specialized instruction on online resources and introduction to new technology. We can not sit back and wait for the teachers to come to us. We have to know their curriculum, what they are doing, and be the one to approach them with ideas. Once we have stepped in the door and show the teachers what we have to offer, most of them will be knocking down the door to come back and work together.
We need to be the instructors for use of online databases and other library resources, and we need to be available for refresher instruction at point of need. I think we need to instruct the teachers so they have a clear understanding of the resource and then be the main instructor with the teacher as support for classroom instruction of online resources.
For students we need to be another teacher they can count on for instruction. We are not simply the one who checks their book out to them or tells them they have an overdue book. We have been trained as teachers and we need to accept that role when students need instruction. When the class comes together as a whole for research or library instruction, or when one student comes to the library for individual instruction.
When staff and parents come into our libraries, we need to be able to help them find the materials they need to assists their student(s). We also need to make sure they have an understanding of the technology available so they do not feel completely dependent on us if we are helping someone else. By providing our patrons with the tools they need to find, explore, and develop their information literacy skills we are building our community of learners.
I agree with Texas Library Lady. We occupy the role of teacher, whether the patron approaching us is a student, a parent, or a fellow teacher. We need to become comfortable with our resources and available technology so that we can teach them, support them, and encourage them--all the while making them feel comfortable, too.
I think some people feel that "librarian" and "teacher" are mutually exclusive roles. This is definitely not so!
I feel my role is to help the teachers find resources and to help them with ideas for how they can integrate technology as a tool to get students thinking on a higher level. For me, the point of education is to learn how to think, and technology is just one tool that can be used toward achieving this goal. Helping both teachers and students find access to information and new ways of thinking is one of my main goals as a media specialist.
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