Monday, July 26, 2010
Blogging with my students
Monday, May 31, 2010
Principal Support
Information Process Models
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
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
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
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
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.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Hitting the Wall
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.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Day 1, Term 2
ILSC and obstacles
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 ;)
Thursday, April 8, 2010
one down
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.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Im not sure
Thursday, March 25, 2010
a 'handle' one would hope
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...
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Assignment 1 ETL503
Saturday, March 20, 2010
worth a read
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Tough week
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...
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Reading, reading, reading
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
struggle street
Weekly habits and goals that are realistic and achievable seem like good medicine at this point in time.