Blogging with my students

Wow! I have set up a unit of work for my year 5/6 students based on "Where There's Smoke" by John Heffernen and the kids have taken it and run with it. I am having trouble keeping up with my own readings and blog as I'm replying to their posts at a rapid rate. I'm so proud of them and so wrapped that they are interested and engaged in the unit :)

Principal Support

I read a very interesting article by Hartzell (2002) discussing the value of having a supportive Principal with a school. The article discusses the value of principal support and the positive impact that has on students, staff and teacher librarians. I feel very fortunate to have a great working relationship with my principal, who goes out of her way to support me professionally and within my course....thank you :)

Information Process Models

The Big6 model, the NSW Information Process model and Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process model all display similarities and differences as Information Process Models in enhancing student’s learning abilities and outcomes on the principle of lifelong learning.

All three processes have a six-step process and rely on metacognitive skills and scaffolding in order for success.

I tried to Big6 with a stage 3 class a few weeks ago, and I must say it wasn't hugely successful. I put this down to the fact that I didn't teach each skill fully or well enough before giving the students the research task. I also feel that like me, my students are more familiar and comfortable with the NSW model as an information process model.

TL standards

The standards of professional excellence for teacher librarians ASLA/ALIA (2004) assist in improving professional practices for teacher librarians by offering a set of standards to use as a guide. These guidelines form a framework to strive toward in the areas of professional knowledge, professional practice and professional commitment. Teacher librarians are able to base their practice on this framework in order to enhance their own professional practice while assisting students in gaining improved outcomes for learning. The standards could also be seen as a framework to inform and assist teacher librarians in aspiring to attaining leadership a role within the school community. can enhance learning outcomes for students.

I must say that the essay on TL standards was very useful in looking at the standards and how using the standards in everyday practice.

Critical Synthesis

In reflecting on my role as a teacher librarian, it has to be noted that the amount of learning that has taken place in this process has been huge. I have learnt so much about my role as teacher librarian and what it involves in order to be successful in practice. I initially thought of my role as a minor one that involved simply teaching necessary library skills to my students. However,my perception of the role changed dramatically due to my readings, personal reflection using my blog, forums, chat rooms and podcasts.

I started questioning what my role might really involve as early as February during our two day course in Sydney. The role only became clearer as I made my way around the Interact site, started reading, viewing assessment tasks via powerpoint and looking at the forums. Although this was frustrating at times, all the tools were useful in gaining an understanding of the role of teacher librarian. Contributing to forums was not as regular as I would have liked as I found the content quite overwhelming at times. I did however find the forums useful during assessment time, as everyone seemed to be getting problems clarified that were the same problems I was dealing with. I also found the forums useful in ensuring I was on the right track.

The readings for the course were plentiful and particularly useful in understanding key concepts and improving my knowledge on the information literate school community, collaboration, communication and facilitation. Haycock (2003), Herring (2007) and Hay & Foley (2009) assisted greatly in assisting me to gain an understanding of the importance of these areas that define the role of the teacher librarian.

The standards of professional excellence for teacher librarians ASLA/ALIA (2004) proved to be a huge learning curve. The framework as a guide was a very useful tool in understanding the importance of striving towards reaching these standards in order to enhance and improve student learning outcomes.

Researching information process models proved to be a very interesting exercise in firstly understanding them and secondly providing them as a learning tool for students. It was hugely beneficial to look closely at three of the models,The Big6 model, the NSW Information Process model and Kuhlthau’s Information Search Process model. Having looked at them closely, my preference still lies with the NSW model as it is the one model that I have familiarised myself with while undertaking my role as teacher librarian and it is the one model I apply in my everyday practice with the students.



Through the process of undertaking this course of study, I have felt mixed emotions at various times. I have found it particularly difficult to manage work commitments, personal commitments and full time study all at the same time, often discovering that one of them was lacking at some point in time. That is when I decided to take another look at Covey (1990) and realised that I need to adopt some of these habits and actually put them into practice. On the other hand, I have found the amount of knowledge I have gained particularly rewarding and extremely useful in undertaking my role as teacher librarian.



I have also realised that in continuing onto the next phase of of this journey, it is imperative to remember that as long as the willingness to learn new skills and gain knowledge about this complex, but rewarding role is there, success and lifelong learning will remain a high priority.

REFERENCES

Australian School Library Association [ASLA] and Australian Library and Information Association [ALIA] (2004). Library standards of professional excellence for teacher librarians. Retrieved May 15th at http://www.asla.org.au/policy/standards.htm.

Braxton, B (2005) Information Literacy, retrieved May 15th at http://palmdps.act.edu.au/resource_centre/info_lit/intro.htm


Covey, S. (1990). Principles of personal management. In The seven habits of highly effective people : restoring the character ethic (pp. 145-164). NY : Simon & Schuster.


Eisenberg and Berkowitz 1990.,The Big6. Information & Technology Skills for Student Achievement. Retrieved May 10th at http://www.big6.com/


Foley, L. & Hay, C. (2009, May). School libraries building capacity for student learning in 21 C. Scan , p. 18.

Hartzell, G. (2002). Why should principals support school libraries? ERIC Digest, November(EDO-IR-2002-06).

Hay, L., Foley, C (2009) School libraries building capacity for student learning in 21C, Scan, 28(2), 17-26.


Haycock, K. (2003). The crisis in Canada’s school libraries: the case of reform and re-investment.(pp.19-23) Toronto: Association of Canadian Publishers.


Herring, J. (2007). Libraries in the Twenty-first Century: charting new directions in information studies. Wagge Wagga: Centre for Information Studies.


Kuhlthau, C., 1999. Accommodating the User's Information Search Process: Challenges for Information Retrieval System Designers. Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science, volume 25, no.3, retrieved May 5th at http://www.asis.org/Bulletin/Feb-99/kuhlthau.html


NSW Department of Education and Training (2007)., School Libraries and Information Literacy Unit, Curriculum K–12 Directorate, State of New South Wales through the NSW Department of Education and Training retrieved May 20th at http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/

Barbara Braxton

During my late nights and readings I came across Barbara Braxton's work and was blown away by her knowledge and commitment to the Library profession. Her insight is invaluable and her website is a very useful tool, that I continue to visit regularly.There is also a link to the CMIS website, which I also found to be a very useful tool when looking for ideas. Both are linked below:
http://palmdps.act.edu.au/resource_centre/info_lit/intro.htm
http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/fiction/classroom/class11.htm

The Mentor

The value of the mentoring program is and I'm sure will continue to be very beneficial. Although my mentor is an hour and a half away, she has been a huge help in supporting me. Email and phone has been a big part of our contact, however, still very helpful and supportive contact.
She came to visit me in my school and we looked at useful tools to share to assist us both in our TL roles. She was very impressed with the work I do with my students, which gave me a huge lift. At times it is hard to match the great practical ability with the theory part however.
I look forward to our next mentoring day next semester and continuing to pick her brain when I need to.

Hitting the Wall

Well....nothing gets any easier it seems. I have spent the past 10 days dealing with a flu that has packed a punch and a half and left me lagging way behind the eight ball. I am trying to claw my way back and went back to work today. I have tried to keep up with readings and have made a good start on my next 2 assignments, but I am feeling less than confident about anything at the moment.

I somehow managed to fail my ETL401 assignment by one mark and I feel like it is going to take a miracle to pass this subject. The funny thing is, I felt like I produced a sound assignment and had a good understanding of the topic...how wrong I was!

It seems that the stress of full time work, study and home life is going to continue to manic for some time to come, I just hope the results of the hard work I am doing is reflected in my results very soon...only time will tell I guess.

Day 1, Term 2

Well after a holiday that involved whirlwind and unexpected travel and assignments, I must say I am exhausted on day one. I am finding full time work and study very demanding and at times way too much. On a more positive note, I am learning more and more everyday about my role as TL and where I fit in the scheme of an ILSC with the assistance of the readings and forums. I have so much to achieve and attempt to get up-and-running, but realise that each aspect of this complex and rewarding role takes time, research, communication, collaboration and a hell of a lot of patience and faith in my own ability. I look forward to learning more this term and hopefully continuing to manage the demands that seem to be at every turn ;)

ILSC and obstacles

I learned a lot about the ILSC and obstacles we face as TL's as I wrote this assignment. The TL is an integral part in creating an ILSC. The role is an extremely complex one that involving the effective use and implementation of resource based learning tools, collaboration, communication, negotiation, cooperative program planning and incorporating information technology in order to support and promote student learning outcomes within the ILSC. Haycock, K. (2003) suggests that TL's play at least 3 critical roles in an effective learning community; teacher, information specialist and administrator, very true it seems.

Obstacles are obviously plentiful and choosing one was not a difficult task; however solving the obstacle in a practical and positive manner was a little more difficult. Collaboration and effective communication are key aspects of forming and managing a successful ILSC. Collaboration as an obstacle can be overcome by setting up a framework of individual roles and intentions. This framework needs to begin by forming and maintaining a good partnership with the school principal. This can impact greatly on the effectiveness a TL can have in establishing and maintaining an ILSC. Hay & Foley (2009) propose that a large body of evidence identifies the essential role the school principal plays in developing and sustaining an effective library program and the importance of a successful relationship between the principal and the TL; ensuring TL's construct both short and long term plans for the library in conjunction with the principal and then be evaluated on the progress made towards realising those plans.

An enjoyable and thought provoking assignment as far as writing a paper goes ;)

one down

Well that assignment would have to be one of the most painful things I have put myself through in a number of years. It took me at least four weekends, and four solid days over Easter to get it done and I must say I am not entirely happy with it. I am still struggling bigtime with APA referencing style, particularly when referencing websites.
It is onto assignment number two now. I have packed all my coursework up brought it with me to Sydney. I am hoping to make this attempt a much improved one , but only time will tell.

Im not sure

I seem to be digging a bigger hole for myself with assignment one. After much deliberation, I decided to go down the track of resourcing 'Special Education' needs within the curriculum, but I have discovered as I go on, I am needing to cover specific disabilities. Should I just be broad and include 10 resources to assist all of the disabilities, or should I be very specific and cover just one disability? My head just continues to spin after yet another weekend of assignment bliss. Thanks in advance, any assistance is much appreciated at this point.

a 'handle' one would hope

I finally have a comfortable handle in my mind (at least) about assignment 1 for 503. I have changed my mind on numerous occassions over the past 10 days about what aspect of the curriculum to focus on. I have decided to keep it 'in school' and focus on the lack of resources available in the 'Special Education' area.
I will now spend yet another weekend hopefully making good ground. I am still feeling like I am chasing my tail at every turn and I am constantly fighting exhaustion, work pressures, family pressures etc. However, it is crystal clear that everyone is in the same boat, so this 'Work in progress' continues to take shape...

Assignment 1 ETL503

I am having trouble deciding on which aspect of the curriculum that isn't adequately resourced to focus on for assignment 1. I had another idea yesterday and began writing, but Im thinking it may be too mainstream. How is everyone else going? Are you all focusing on the curriculum at a local level or based on KLAs that are not adequately resourced?

worth a read

An interestng article I found via a friend...an interesting read: http://savingaussiebooks.wordpress/

Tough week

I am only managing to make myself feel sicker and more overwhelmed with the whole course this week. I don't know how, but I have managed to get behind with particular readings and when I finally manage to settle down to focus, I cant.
Between the flu, work and some personal dramas over the past week, I am really feeling like I am slipping behind the eight ball. Right at this moment, having read all day long, I am going to change focus, go for a walk and try and clear my head a little. Maybe there will be some divine intervention from higher powers that will help simplify things...

Reading, reading, reading

As I read the essential readings and other material from Hazell (1990), Haycock, K (2003), Herring (2007) and Hay & Foley (2009) I am finding that there is a very clear thread relating to TLs that involves collaboration, communication and facilitation. In order for students to become 'effective information users' in 21st century libraries/media centres, classroom teachers and TLs, working closely with Principals and the wider school community, need to communicate effectively, work collaboratively and resource the curriculum in a way that promotes student learning. It is becoming increasingly obvious that as information and technology change at a rapid rate, we as TLs need to facilitate the way our libraries are resourced. It is vital for us as trained TLs to learn as much as we possibly can in order to facilitate and enhance the learning of our students.

struggle street

I am currently battling this flu at the moment, which is making day to day tasks difficult. I did manage to read the Covey article last night and as a result, I'm going to purchase it. It contains very interesting material on prioritising, organising and deciding what to say 'yes' and 'no' to in daily life.

Weekly habits and goals that are realistic and achievable seem like good medicine at this point in time.

Roy's Podcast

I just listened to Roy's podcast regarding ETL401 and although still feeling overwhelmed by the whole situation, I was at the same time relieved as Roy outlined necessary tasks, essential tasks and ways to manage the readings. Constant contact and feedback is going to be a very valuable tool this year I'm certain.

Change up

I just decided after 4 days of struggling and some advice from others to set up this blogspot and start again. I am finding Interact@CSU particularly frustrating the past 2 days, slow and not loading properly, however, everyone is having the same difficulties, so one shall grin and bare it.