Lessons for everyone!

Information literacy, is a concept or process that continues to evolve in our technologically savvy world. The various definitions I have encountered in my readings indicate the need for a multi-step process that ensures students are able to locate, evaluate and apply the knowledge they have gained from a variety of sources. It is this procedure that I as a teacher have utilised. What did come, as a surprise is the focus that academics place on the role of the teacher librarian in this inquiry process. In the high school where I teach, the process of research is guided very carefully by the KLA Coordinators with assistance from the Teaching/Learning Coordinator. There is collaboration with the teacher librarian but this is limited to guiding students to appropriate resources. Thus, what I have learnt certainly has been an eye opener.

I also see more clearly now that it is essential that the whole school is involved in developing information literacy. There needs to be consistency across the KLA’s and this is yet another role that the teacher librarian must actively lead.

James Henri (2004) puts forward an interesting idea. He suggests that some schools are more focused on how successfully students are able to store information. In doing so, students are gaining knowledge but lack real understanding. To be quite honest I can see myself in this category. I try to fill their minds with as much information as they will need to pass their exams. If I was to focus on developing their understanding I would not complete the course. So there is a dilemma. While our HSC exam (NSW) is knowledge based then the focus is going to be on gaining just that…..knowledge. What this course has taught me is that understanding is crucial and I will be more aware what I am doing in the classroom to ensure that my students are becoming critical, discerning learners, a small step I know but it is a beginning. Lesson learnt!

With a little help......from the principal

Time has been taken up completing Trial HSC marking, assessment marking and of course the first assignment, first for 25 years, so life has not been easy.

To be quite honest the role of the principal is an area I had not previously thought about. It was only after completing the required readings and also the information I accessed for the assignment that I felt enlightened. Hay, Foley's (2009) article titled 'School libraries building capacity for student learning in the 21C was inspirational. I now can see the whole picture, not only are teacher librarians creating an environment that encourages learning but they are at the forefront (or should be) of building a learning culture that is underpinned by appropriate pedagogical practices.
Teacher librarians need to collaborate with staff, students, administrators- most importantly, the principal. Without the support of a principal, the teacher librarian is would find it difficult to introduce whole school library programs that address the needs of both students and teachers. With technological advances changing the fabric of how and what we research, the TL needs to be up to date and ready to impart their knowledge in partnership with the school community.
To a large extent my views on the role of the principal as support fro the TL is shaped by my own context. I work in a high school where the TL is certainly given sufficient funds to purchase material for student learning and pleasure but her role in curriculum, ICT support is carried out by other leaders. Leaders of ICT, Teaching and Learning are roles that have emerged over the past five years and until today I have not thought about how this might affect the role of the TL. The fact is that all leaders should be able to collaborate in order to achieve common goals but I this might be a generalisation or 'wishful thinking'.  I have come to the conclusion that as teacher librarians we really must be proactive and have a clear vision for the future of our varied roles.
I am fortunate that I have a great working relationship with the teacher librarian in my school. We talk at length about the role of the TL, or what ideally it should entail. Today she handed me an interesting  article about the role of the TL. The Director of the booklegger was sitting at a table with guest delegates when one of the speakers asked him "What is the role of the school librarian today?", to the horror of librarians who were present, he replied, "There isn't one unless they create one!"

I now know what teacher librarians have to do....................