ETL401 Part C - Critical synthesis

Part C
Critical synthesis & reflections of TL role
810words

I have now discovered that my initial reasons for wanting to become a teacher librarian were not the most honourable (Drury, 2010). I initially thought that it was an easy job where you had an assistant who did all of the hard work for you and you had lots of free time to prepare and tidy the library because after all as a teacher librarian you just read books to children, let them borrow and kept the library shelves neat and tidy. Since the beginning of this course and taking up a job share position in a library I realise how misguided I was.

Since reading the Professional Teacher librarian Standards (ASLA/ALIA, 2004) I have learnt that there is more to being a teacher librarian than I first thought. Reading the comments of other students I was heartened to discover that they were also on a similar pattern of learning (Noble, 2010). The standards also demonstrated to me that we are part of a professional group who have excellent skills and knowledge instead of just being on our own as I commented on my blog post (Drury, 2010). Completing the second part of assignment two in ETL401 proved to be a turning point in my views of being a teacher librarian. What started out as a compulsory exercise that I was required to complete in order to successfully finish this subject rapidly turned into an exciting adventure of learning where I gave the standards more than just a passing glance. I discovered that they are all encompassing and while they looked impossible to achieve when I first read them they have now become a set of standards to help my professional development in an effort to enhance the quality of education that I provide for the students at my school.

Information literacy skills was a skill I thought I knew all about (Drury, 2010) but I quickly learned that there are more than one set of definitions, more than one set of frameworks and everyone has a slightly different variation (Kuhlthau, 2004, Eisenberg and Berkowitz Big6, 2001, NSW Information Process, 2007). It was exciting that the more I read about information literacy the more I began to realise that I could have a positive effect on the development of strategies that would enable my students to become life long learners.

My eyes were opened as I read about collaboration and the positive impact that it has on students (Haycock, 2007). I also found it to be a bit of relief when I read the article written by (Todd, 2008) because as I commented on the forum (Drury, 2010) collaborative schools are selectively collaborative and not necessarily the most creative. I also commented on this on my blog (Drury, 2010) that I enjoyed a light bulb moment when I read that just because you collaboratively teach you don't necessarily get through double the work (Todd, 2008). This had always been my impression of collaborative partnerships so it was good to gain a better insight into collaborative teaching. I was also challenged when I read (Gilman, 2007) and it was suggested that a great way to encourage a collaborative attitude would be to set up library wide wikis. As a direct result I have set up several library blogs each one catering to a specific group. I have created blogs for staff, general library, stage 2, stage 3, Premier's reading challenge and library monitors. The feedback has been amazing as everyone feels free to contribute and add their comments. If it wasn't for this article and indeed this course I don't think I would have taken the step to create these blogs in an effort to create a collaborative atmosphere. My other light bulb moment occurred when I read that collaborative teaching affects student academic achievement for the better (Montiel-Overall, 2005 & Haycock, 2007).

Throughout this course I have gone through many highs and lows as I have grappled with the new information presented to me. It has given me a new sense of purpose as I endeavor to be the best teacher librarian I can. As I try to develop not only a love of literature in my students but so much more including information literacy skills to equip them for life long learning. As I also try to encourage a collaborative environment within my school and endeavour to raise the profile of the teacher librarian role so that it includes leadership responsibilities within the school and as I build up networks within the school and from outside the school to turn this into a reality.

I have come a long way since the days of playing pretend libraries in my bedroom, or being asked to resign as a library monitor in 6th class (Drury,2010), but strangely I feel like I am just beginning this extraordinary journey of learning how to be an excellent teacher librarian. Thankfully there are lots of resources out there to aid in my development. Resources that include the excellent set of standards (ASLA/ALIA, 2004) to work towards and many support networks that help to find solutions to problems that I may encounter.

References

Australian School Library Association (ASLA) and Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). (2004). Library standards of professional excellence for teacher librarians. Retrieved from http://www.asla.org/policy/standards.htm

Drury, C. (2010, March 20) Standards of professional excellence for TL'S. Posted to http://cathyslibraryskillsprogress.blogspot.com

Drury, C. (2010, April 19). Thoughts on Todd article. Message posted to ETL401 module 5 sub-forum.

Drury, C. (2010April 20). Developing powerful instructional collaborations does not happen by chance. Posted to http://cathyslibraryskillsporgress.blogspot.com

Drury, C. (2010, April 27). Information literacy and how my views are changing. Posted to http:cathyslibraryskillsprogress.blogspot.com

Drury, C. (2010, May11). My inspiration to be a teacher librarian. Posted to http://cathyslibraryskillsprogress.blogspot.com

Eisenberg,M & Berkwitz, B. (2001). A Big6 skills overview. Retrieved from http://www.big6.com/2001/11/19/a-big%E2%84%A2-skills-overview

Gilman, T. (2007, May23). The Four Habits of Highly Effective Librarians The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/article/The-Four-Habits-of-Highly-E/46544

Haycock, K. (2007). Collaboration: Critical success factors for student learning. School Libraries Worldwide, 13(1), pp25-35.

Kuhlthau, CC. (2004). Seeking Meaning: A Process Approach to Library and Information Services, 2nd ed. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Montiel-Overall, P. (2005). A Theoretical Understanding of Teacher and Librarian Collaboration, School Libraries Worldwide, 11(2), 24-48.

Noble, J. (2010, March10). Thoughts on standards. Message posted to ETL401 module 2 sub-forum.

New South Wales Department of Education and Training. (2007). Information skills in the school: engaging learners in constructing knowledge. Retrieved from http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/schoollibraries/teachingideas/isp/docs/infoskills.pdf

Todd, R.J. (2008). The dynamics of classroom teacher and teacher librarian instructional collaborations. Scan, 27(2), 19-28.

Highly offended!!!

I was just speaking to a girlfriend who recently attended a workshop for Asperger children. She thought it was highly amusing when the speaker said that many Asperger children retreat to the library in their breaks as it is an area where they feel safe. So far I would agree with that.

But then he went on to say that in his opinion many teacher librarians also had Asperger's.
Now in the words of Seinfeld "Not that there's anything wrong with that", but I don't appreciate being labeled that way.
I am anything but Asperger's trust me, and so are the teacher librarian's that I know......well there was one back in 1986 that may have been...........
Oh well food for thought anyway.

Part B put to bed and no library monitors.....

In the words of the newspaper newsroom I can put part B of assignment 2 to bed..........at last.
I am now working on part C of the assignment and at the moment words are coming easy, but in no particular order and I can remember things I read on the forum about the topics I am wanting to discuss but unfortunately I am having a difficult time locating them again. In my next subject I am going to keep a really good record of where and when I read things so that when I need to recall information it will be a simple exercise.
It has been great at work today as stage 3 has an excursion so I have had a bit of time on my hands so I have been working on my assignment. My program is up to date and all of my lessons have been prepared for next week so I've used my time to get this done.
A highlight of my day was that I didn't have any library monitors in the library at lunch time...It was bliss. They are such an enthusiastic bunch but are really more of a hindrance than a help most of the time, so it was a very relaxing lunch break today........Maybe we could ban library monitors, but then I guess there would be a huge outcry. Oh well something to think about anyway.

second chat room experience- how exciting!

Last night I was participating in my second chat room ever while we talked about the second assignment.
I was so surprised when Tania commented on my blog.
Wow, I didn't think anyone was reading it except for my good friend Julie who has only just discovered it.
Tania, you have no idea what a boost to my self-esteem your comment was. I have not been sure if I have been on track or not during this subject and you provided me with the confidence I needed, so thank-you.
I spent all of Monday and Tuesday working on Part B of the assignment and thought I had finished, however after last nights chat I think I had better have another look at it.
Despite all of my complaining and crying at the computer screen I really have been enjoying this subject.

How hilarious is this?
I have been put in charge of all the school blogging, in particular the staff blog. Our IT teacher is leaving the school for the rest of the year to work as the region head of something to do with technology.
When he was first offered this role I was asked if I wanted to take over his role at the school. My response was to double over in laughter in front of the principal....then I realised she was serious!!
Who would have thought that I would have made so much progress in my technology skills to be asked this question?
Can't wait to tell Greg at my old school. He will think it is just as hilarious as I do!
Anyway after I realised she was serious I politely declined and suggested someone who knows more than I do which wouldn't be hard really.

Inspired by Jessica Watson

On Saturday instead of working on my assignment I was totally mesmerised by Jessica Watson completing her sail around the world. I didn't move from the lounge all day as I flicked between all of the television channels watching whoever had the best coverage at the time.
Now as I sit here becoming quite frustrated with the whole process of gaining my Master of Education in Teacher Librarianship and thinking that I will never get my qualification to enable me to fulfil my dream of becoming a teacher librarian. I am reminded of some words of wisdom that Jessica Watson spoke after she arrived safely back in Sydney after sailing around the world in response to the Prime Minister calling her a hero.
She said,

" I'm not a hero, I am just an ordinary girl who had a dream, you just have to have a dream, believe in it and work hard."

So with those words of wisdom from a very mature 16year old I am going to continue to work hard to get this assignment completed well to enable me to pass this subject so that I will be a step closer in achieving my very modest dream of becoming a qualified teacher librarian.

reading and the library

I just came across this great quote in my reading for assignment 2.

Classroom collections are most appropriate for learning to read; school libraries are most appropriate for reading and reinforcing the reading process

- Frances Roscello, AASL President 2003-2004

What a great quote.

Beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel

As I sit here trying to do my assignment...still. I am no further advanced than I was last weekend. Today however I have renewed hope. I listened to Roy's podcast yesterday and thought that I was beginning to get it, then today the wonderful Philip posted on the forum an answer to someones question about how to start.
After reading his post (and printing it) I now really think I have a handle on this whole part B section. I have all of my research printed off beside me and have eagerly started writing.
That guy should get a HD for this course because of all of the help he has been to me. I have read his blog regularly sometimes checking it several times a day to see if there has been an update and I love reading his forum entries. He just has a way of explaining things simply so that you understand the concept that bit better.
I think any parent would be banging down the principals door at the school he teaches at requesting him as a teacher for their child.
Well done Philip. If I get through this course it will be because of your generosity to share your thoughts and understandings.