Blog Post 4: Technology Leadership Role of School Librarians

Standards for the 21^st Century Learner

 

According to the American Association of School Librarians, the core value is to realize that reading is the key to success. “Reading is a foundation skill for learning. Reading goes beyond decoding and comprehension to interpretation and development of new understandings.” (2007). It is imperative that all students are taught to be independent learners and to learn to evaluate themselves. It is the role of the librarian to ensure that all students are taught to utilize technology with integrity and remain ethical as well. Technology is the way of the future, and we must teach technology skills early on so students are confident when applying technology to schoolwork or building up toward a career skillset. No matter the demographics or socioeconomic status all students deserve an equal opportunity to have access to technology applications while at school.

 

Benefits of Technology in Education and School Librarian’s Role in Implementing Technology

 

With ever-changing technology, it is inevitable that schools will soon become more technology based. Some may see it as a downfall, while other have research to show proven student success not only with every day projects, but standardized state tests as well.

 

David V. Loertscher (2011) states:

 

Teacher librarians and teacher technologists are in the best position in the school to watch the development and impact of technology in the lives of the teachers and students. In every report we have seen, there is a constant call for everyone in the school community to learn how to learn in a rich information and technological environment. Smart phones, network capacity, and devices with solid state drives allow the “computer” to always be waiting on the user rather than the user waiting on the device. When reliability goes up and wait time goes down, there is a direct impact on the efficiency of the entire organization and on the individual learners. In schools where we see the most progress there is a grand alliance between tech directors, teacher librarians, teacher technologist, classroom teachers, and, most importantly, the students. When collaborative culture arises spurred by sound technology infused learning strategies, everything changes. (p.46)

 

With technology available and collaborative efforts between classroom teachers and the librarian or teacher librarian, there becomes a great opportunity for the students to gain academic success and confidence.  Librarians need to stay abreast of new Web 2.0 tools and technology so they can keep classroom teachers informed, so they can in turn teach the students.

 

L.V. Edinger (1966) notes:

 

A teacher in the technological society knows that his role must change as he uses the power tools in education. The learning situation will be constructed of more that book, learner, and teacher. It need not become media-centered; indeed, it should become more student-centered, and both student and teacher should have easy access to all the new educational technology the school provides. Teachers must not fear change or innovation. They should be flexible in attitude, willing to experiment with new ideas; indeed, they should, in many instances, become agents of change. We cannot teach for the tomorrow that is sure to be, with the tools of yesterday.  (p. 75)

 

Boldly stating the obvious fact that we cannot expect our students to be successful if we don’t give them the current tools that are available in today’s technological world. Librarians need to be willing and available to give on site mini trainings to staff and students so the new tools and technology are easily understood. This gives the campus personnel and student’s confidence to implement the new technology that has been presented.

 

 

References

American Association of School Librarians. 2007. “Standards for the 21st-Centrury Learner.”

 

Edinger, L.V. (1966). Technology in Education. Wilson Library Bulletin, 41 72-75

 

Loertscher, D.V. (2011). Unleash the power of technology in education. Teacher Librarian, 39(1), 46. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/902627384?accountid=7113

 

Class Projects

Blog Post 3: Technology Implementation Strategies

Web 2.0 tools are everywhere, and our youth have embedded themselves in the tech world we know today. Schools now have the challenge of embracing Web 2.0 tools, social media sites (SMS), and many other technology-based gadgets that are available to students. Being that technology is ever changing, the curriculum of schools will need to evolve as well. Many teachers, administrations, and parents have not fully embraced the fact that students can benefit greatly from schools incorporating a technology rich curriculum where the students will be allowed to use their smartphones, tablets, and other technological devices, or even access YouTube, SMS sites, or wikis to participate in class projects. The popular “go to” site for locating sites, Google, can be avoided by teachers accessing sites, such as: delicious.com or diigo.com. These are samples of websites where both students and teachers can work collaboratively on projects or classwork. Most popular social networking sites have been banned from many school districts computers, therefore making it impossible for students to access for personal reasons. However, developers have created many education SMS to allow students to work together in private networks. These sites allow students to post pictures, share opinions, and communicate with their classmates. With all of the new technology that students are being exposed to today, not only is it important for schools to engage and support learning through new technology, it is vital for teachers, librarians, and administrators to educate students on being ethical and safe while using said media sites.

I found that www.wall.fm is a SNS that can be used for educational purposes within a private and secure community. It can be costly, but may be more useful than online subscriptions that teacher may normally purchase to support their classroom. With the older grades, I think it is important to tap into the culture of our youth and embrace the same types of technology that they use daily in their free time. Another strategy that I would implement would be http://ejucomm.com/portfolio/. This is a great tool to send push notifications to smartphone users. They can get reminders, and access the custom library buttons that I can create to keep them informed about library happenings. Asselin, M., & Moayeri, M. (2011). Practical Strategies: The Participatory Classroom: Web 2.0 in the Classroom. Literacy Learning: The Middle Years, 19(2), i-vii.

Blog Post 2: Handheld Devices

Integrating technology via personal handheld devices may be the way of the future for schools. At one point a C.O.W. (computer on wheels) that held multiple laptops was the cutting edge of the classrooms, and now many students carry their own phones, iPods, or iPads to the classroom daily. Many districts brag about having cutting edge technological classrooms, however they require students to turn off their devices during the day. These devices could be utilized to the student’s advantage, all the while keeping them engaged in learning. Understandably, there is the downside of students using personal devices because it will be extremely hard to monitor what they will be looking at, and also whether they are staying on task or not.

In the article “Recharge Your Library Programs with Pop Culture and Technology: Connect with Today's Teens”, by Linda D Behen. she mentions a BYOD system, which is when the students Bring Your Own Device to school. “A BYOD philosophy is likely to satisfy almost every educational objective that a school might have. It teaches responsibility  and tech agility, integrates technology into the classroom, makes learning relevant and meaningful, provides student-centered learning, provides tools to teach every type of learner, and much more.” Allowing the students to use handheld devices would create motivation and student engagement, as well as providing students with access to ebooks and other online resources. They would also be able to collaborate on schoolwork after hours on various sites.

With many schools being overcrowded, lockers are becoming obsolete because there are too many students and not enough lockers. So students are now being required to carry all of their books around with them all day. If handhelds or personal devices are allowed, they would be able to use a downloadable ebook rather than carry it in their backpack daily.

There is also the argument of copyright laws, and ownership that create a slight negative downfall.  Behen states, “In a perfect world, a single ebook reader would read any digital text regardless of what publisher or platform developed it, but in today’s world of proprietary rights and digital rights management (DRM) specific to each publisher, vendor, and platform, those issues are controlling our choices.

I feel that in my library, it would be important for the students to be exposed to handheld devices so they will know how to utilize online resources, and how to communicate effectively while using them. I would like to have eBook readers in a section for the students to use while in the library.  I also think iPads or tablets would be beneficial for the students to use since there are always new apps coming out to help learning. I feel that having digital tools beyond the computer make learning more relevant to learners.

Behen, Linda D., Recharge Your Library Programs with Pop Culture and Technology : Connect with Today's Teens. : ABC-CLIO, .p 90

Blog Post 1: Technology Strengths and Weaknesses

I feel that my technology strengths outweigh my weaknesses. I feel that I am a motivated learner and that I will do whatever it takes to help a child learn. I feel that my knowledge of technology concepts will allow me to have a better understanding of new programs I will be learning. I am excited and ambitious to have the students utilize technology in all subjects, and to help them grow in confidence when it comes to technology. My weakness is not knowing a wide variety of developmentally appropriate technology applications. I would like to have more knowledge so the students can be more successful. I have plans to speak to my mentor about how I can familiarize myself with different technology programs. Being an art teacher, I have a “push in” time period in my morning when I help a 3^rd grade math class. I feel that the teacher does an amazing job teaching math, but lacks in using technology with those students who have a harder time just sitting there watching the board or doing a worksheet. I feel that certain students could use programs like Think Through Math for morning work instead of board work. It is also beneficial because a lot of educational programs track student success.

I would like to apply technology in lessons to increase productivity in the classroom and during research projects. I feel that it is important for me to be greatly prepared and knowledgeable on many tech applications so I will positively service the students. With increasing technology, phone apps, and websites, we as librarians need to offer support to core subject teachers and keep them abreast of new ways to engage their students and prepare them for success. I also feel it’s important to foster and teach technology to those who may not have access to it at home. If I am a librarian, I would like to offer computer tutoring to upper level students so they can be confident when they use technology in the classroom. I would also like to provide the staff with opportunities to learn about new technology/apps/programs as they become available. I also believe that the librarian serves as a liaison between the campus and technology department. I feel that that would also be an important roll for me to take on so I can be a greater support to the campus I serve.