OLJ Task 18: Thoughts for the future
Choose one of the resources above and write a 400 word analysis that addresses the following issues:
What is the potential for the future of an organisation you are familiar with?
What impact might the future have on us as information professionals?
Word count: 403
Article: Innovation and education: Central role of libraries in our digital communities. D.L. King (2018).
King (2018) noted that Centennials, a population that has never been without the internet, are beginning to enter the workforce while, behind them, a new generation are entering schools with an even more ingrained knowledge of technology and the internet. King (2018) also notes that as part of the ‘4th industrial revolution’ the development of handheld devices and compatible software is on the rise and implies that these are a foundation step towards something more in technology, with 85% of jobs in 2030 having not been invented yet. As such, education must adapt in order to prepare students to become informed global citizens (Foley, 2017) for a future that is as yet undetermined (O’Connell, 2013).
Potential:
- Already, the development of large-scale technology-based assessments (Christensen, Shyyan & Johnstone, 2014, p.23-31; NAPLAN Online), the inclusion of digital technologies in the syllabus and integration of technology in classrooms and the curriculum (NESA, n.d.) have demonstrated the ability of the education sector to adapt to change.
- By establishing an inter-connectiveness between technologies used in school and at home, schools are acknowledging the rise in digital normalisation (Lee, 2013) and supporting students in developing transferrable skills that can be used outside of the education environment and in future careers.
- School libraries are already developing online digital catalogue systems for students to access books online at any time of day or night (Craver, 2002), there has been an increase in the development of student investigative skills to determine fact from ‘fake news’ (Cook, 2018) and a focus of ethical understandings and cyber safety in students when engaging as digital citizens (Combes, 2019) in education standards (NESA, n.d.).
- The use of this technology inevitably means an increased digital presence in classrooms, for example the use of Google Classroom and Google Drive as apart of learning, encouraging students to take increased ownership of their education (Plotinsky, Oct 10, 2019).
Impact on information professionals in education:
- New roles may develop as technology continues to do so, for example, social media monitors or committees.
- New skills and training may be developed or required, as will programming changes and school plans.
- Ongoing upgrading of technology and software programs to ensure student skills development and engagement continues.
- Online social skills development may become part of the curriculum as education addresses ethical and safety considerations online.
- Integration of new technologies, for example AI into programs and classrooms.
References
Christensen, L., Shyyan, V. & Johnstone, C. (2014). Universal design considerations for technology-based, large-scale, next-generation assessments. Perspectives on language and literacy, 40(1), 23-31. Retrieved from https://primo.csu.edu.au/permalink/61CSU_INST/cbhpm/proquest1514905016
Cook, H. (2018) School library shelf life under threat in cyber era. The Age, Melbourne. Available from https://www.theage.com.au/
Combes, B. (2019). Information- change and issues: Barbara Combes. ETL401-Introduction to teacher librarianship- 201960. Retrieved from https://interact2.csu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_42381_1&content_id=_2899453_1
Craver, K. W. (2002) Creating cyber libraries: an instructional guide for school library media specialists. Available from https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/00330330310500775/full/html
Foley, R. (2017) Spread of fake news prompts literacy efforts in schools. St Louis Post- Dispatch. Available at https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/spread-of-fake-news-prompts-literacy-efforts-in-schools
King, D.L. (2018). Innovation & Education: Central role of libraries in our digital communities. Retrieved from https://www.davidleeking.com/innovation-education-central-role-of-libraries-in-our-digital-communities-cildc/
Lee, M. (2013). Digital normalisation, school evolution and BYOT positioning in the school library. Retrieved from https://www.asla.org.au/resources/Documents/Website%20Documents/ACCESS/Access-Commentaries/access-27-4-commentary.pdf
NESA- NSW Government Educations Standards Authority. (n.d.). Digital technologies and ICT resources. Retrieved from https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/learning-areas/technologies/coding-across-the-curriculum
O’Connell, J. (2013) RDA for school libraries: the next generation of cataloguing. ACCESS. Available from https://www.asla.org.au/resources/Documents/Website%20Documents/ACCESS/Access-Commentaries/access-27-3-commentary.pdf
Plotinsky, M. (Oct 10, 2019). Creating a classroom culture of shared ownership. Edutopia. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/creating-classroom-culture-shared-ownership
Social Media College. (n.d.) The social media revolution. https://youtu.be/1qpcdywb6Hw
