Resource - Based Learning

School Library Association of Queensland (SLAQ) (2008). Resource-based learning guidelines.

This article was great as it was simple to read and understand. It also gave step by step guide of how to plan a resource-based unit of work.
Along the way it also told you the role of the school, library, and teachers.
It also stated the benefits of the cooperative planning and teaching.

Using the information in this article it really will make it quite a simple procedure to begin to implement this style of learning in the library. I'm sure that it will be time consuming and many mistakes will be made along the way, but I'm willing to put in the effort to give it a go. Now all I need is a teacher to cooperatively plan with to enable the successful implementation of RBL.

Qu'Appelle Valley School Division and Regina Catholic Schools, Saskatchewan Ministry of Education (2004-2005). Resource-based learning, in Teacher-Librarians: Supporting Student Learning project.

This article didn't really offer any new insights that haven't already been stated in the other readings we have read so far.
However, after reading all of these articles I don't understand why we are not all teaching like this anyway.

Resource - Based Learning

Campbell, L., Flageolle, P., Griffith, S., & Wojcik, C. (2002). Resource-based learning. In M.Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching , and technology. (Wiki-based version of the original publication by Association for Educational Communications and Technology).

I don't think I had ever heard of the term Resource -Based Learning before I started this course.
I have found it interesting, informative and something I really want to develop at my school.

Resource-based learning is not tied to a single learning theory or to any specific pedagogy.
RBL is designed to actively engage students with multiple resources in both print and non-print form.

I find it a great method because it makes the learners take responsibility for selecting resources that appeal to their own learning preferences, interests and abilities.

RBL units often culminate in student products that are presented to an audience.

In a RBL school, students are more self sufficient, ask productive questions, synthesize, analyse, interpret and evaluate information.

Steps for implementing a resource-based learning unit:

• Identify goals.
• Determine acceptable student produced artifacts.
• Collaborate with the media specialist to plan the unit.
• Select resources in a variety of formats.

Role of Teacher in Resource-Based Learning
Teachers act as facilitators. The teaching of facts is replaced by teaching students how to learn.

Benefits of Resource-Based Learning

Good lessons engage students.

There are six strategies for motivation:

1. choice
2. challenge
3. control
4. collaboration
5. constructing meaning
6. consequences

Resource-based learning can significantly change teacher practices, challenging them to reinvent old practices and routines in ways that reflect the changing world in which students learn.

Resource-based learning promotes problem-solving and higher-order thinking skills.

Challenges of Resource-Based Learning
The greatest challenge is co-operative planning.
assessing student attainment of learning goals and objectives.



What I learnt from this reading
The thing I learnt from this reading was that I need to change my whole way of thinking and the way I teach students. I'm sure that it will be quite time consuming, but after teaching for over 20years I am quite excited about the prospect of something new and re-inventing myself in the classroom.

Do school libraries improve student achievement??

Well this was going to be the article that I quoted from in my job interview this week, only to totally forget to even mention it. Oh well at least I will be able to recall it for any future interviews.

Oberg, D. (2002). Looking for the evidence: Do school libraries improve student achievement?, School Libraries in Canada, 22(2), 10-14.

This article was mostly about carrying out action research projects to help a school to know if the students are improving as a result of the school library program, and how to use the data collected.

Quite a useful article if I ever feel the need to complete this type of research or if Roy somehow makes us do it as an assignment for this course.......please don't!!

Developing the respect and support of school administrators

Oberg, D. (2006). Developing the respect and support of school administrators. Teacher Librarian, 33(3), 13-18.

A very informative article about the role of a supportive Principal. This article will be very helpful in developing my assignment.

On the whole TL's often have low expectations of principal support.
This article gives us the perspective of a principal in their perception of a TL. It's actually right on the mark of many TL's I have met.......but not me!!! I'm perfect!

There are 4 key roles of a principal.

1. As a supervisor working directly with TL.
2. As a model demonstrating personal commitment.
3. As a manager enabling the program.
4. As a mentor providing visibility and importance.

Teacher Librarians gain support and respect form principals in 3 main ways.

1. By building professional credibility.
2. By communicating effectively with principals.
3. By working to advance the school goals.

TL's need to be aware of and utilize professional networks throughout their professional lives.

Blogs at school

On the 15 March the Department of Education introduced blogs to their system.
It is fantastic.
I have totally embraced the new technology and I must say that if it wasn't for this course pushing me out of my comfort zone I probably wouldn't have embraced it so quickly and confidently.
I have a couple going.

1. A library blog - so far the stage 3 students have been given the opportunity to suggest ways to improve the library, review books read for the PRC, review any book.
2. A G&T science blog - Each child can write up the experiment they presented complete with a photo and the rest of the group can comment on it. This is fantastic!

In the staff room we were discussing the possibility of have another one with staff member of the week on it. They could tell us about themselves and then we could all write positive comments. It was hilarious coming up with comments....We probably won't carry this one through.
I am looking forward to extending the life of the library one and next term I am beginning to work on Tournament of the mind so I am going to start one for that as well.

WARNING: BLOGS CAN BE ADDICTIVE

Yes, I did blow that interview!

Yes I did blow the interview. I missed out on getting the job.
It went to the librarian from the primary school that my children attended.
Even on my best day I wouldn't have been able to compete with her. She is amazing with many years of experience.
Oh well there is always next time.
As I wasn't the perfect mother when my children attended the local school I know I wouldn't stand a chance of even getting an interview for her job so I won't be bothering to apply for her old job.......

Tournament of the minds

I went to a facilitator training yesterday for tournament of the minds after my disastrous interview.
By contrast it was brilliant.
I think TOM is going to be extremely challenging but very rewarding in the end. I actually think I might enjoy it after all.
Just as well I dropped a subject at uni because I think that this is going to be really time consuming.
Unfortunately their will be about 120 teams at my region final so it will be difficult to get through to the next round. I suggested that perhaps we could compete at Armidale's final because there are only about 30 teams there....I figure that would be better odds to get through.