Deborah's reflections

My journey to becoming a K-6 TL.

Mar 25

3.3 The Principal and the TL. Share your ideas about the ways in which Principals can enable the role of the TL, and how TLs might enable the role of the Principal.

by debnicklin1

rawpixel / Pixabay

“The reality is that influence comes when you solve someone else’s problem or help them achieve their goals, not yours. Therefore, in order for the SLP to be in a position of strength
and importance, the principal, as the key decision maker, must
perceive the SLP as critical to the mission of the school and
capable of helping to achieve the principal’s goals.” (Debra Kachel. 2017)

This is a striking quote to consider by Kachel. She goes on to encourage TL to develop a plan for increased influence for school  administrators to ensure your role is assured. These are factors that I usually associate with the cooperate world, not the world of education where we are all working towards the same broad goals of improving student outcomes. TL need to position themselves as enablers of the Principal’s shared vision of the school and align themselves with key staffing and funding administrators in the school.

Mandy Upton (2016) in her research found that Principal’s valued the contributions of TL in a myriad of ways including awareness of resourcing the curriculum and developing the curriculum, collaborative planning and teaching and more recently ICT resourcing and training. Personal qualities such as collaboration, team work and a sense of leading from the middle was valued. TL has a broad perspective of what is happening around the school in curriculum and pedagogy and Upton describes the TL as ‘the canary in the mine’ of a school. I found this a very pertinent point and as a TL in a primary school in my second year it somewhat rings true in my experience.

References

Kachel, D. (2017). The Principal and the Librarian: Positioning the School Library Program. Teacher Librarian, 45(1), 50–52. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.csu.edu.au/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lih&AN=126080411&site=ehost-live

 

Retrieved from https://interact2.csu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/contentWrapper.jsp?content_id=_2633960_1&displayName=Linked+File&navItem=content&attachment=true&course_id=_42380_1&tab_group=courses&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.iasl-online.org%2Fresources%2FDocuments%2F05luptonfinalformatted49-61.pdf

 

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Mar 22

3.2 The role of the Teacher Librarian Compare and contrast the views of Herring, Purcell, Lamb, and Valenza.

by debnicklin1

Herring very neatly describes the role of the TL in the diagram below.

Herring (2007)

Herring, Purcell and Lamb’s descriptions all can be adapted to fit neatly into this diagram however Valanza’s description for the role of the TL is looking further into the future. She describes emerging practice and lists an extensive role description for a TL. I was quite daunted by the enormous list of skills/roles the TL must have until on further consideration I think that Valenza’s list can be achieved over the entire career of a TL.

 

Diagram retrieved from

https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/science/article/pii/B9781876938437500028

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Mar 22

3.1 Suggest ways you can use one of these evidence guides.

by debnicklin1

I have chosen the Proficient Evidence guide because that’s the stage I am in currently. The ASLA evidence guide is a valuable tool for evaluating outcomes, assessment and focus considerations in units of work. It could be used to review a whole year program and look for the omissions in focus areas e.g. Standard 1.5 describes differentiation as a key consideration. An evaluation of a program could check through to ensure this is part of all planned teaching activities for the year and to identify areas for improvement.

Another way to use the Evidence guide may be to identify areas of future budget planning e.g. Standard 2.6 suggests information rich learning resources to promote inquiry learning. With limited budgets schools need to carefully plan the optimum technology that will best fulfill their schools needs.

Professional learning for library staff can be identified in the ASLA Standards 6.1-6.4. Continual retraining and updating of our qualifications in areas of need is imperative if we wish to stay relevant for our profession and for our students.

Free-Photos / Pixabay

Reference
https://interact2.csu.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-2798134-dt-content-rid-5542611_1/courses/S-ETL401_201930_W_D/ASLA%20evidence%20guide%20proficient%20career%20stage.pdf

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Mar 20

Are TL an endangered species?

by debnicklin1

Karen Bonanno (2015) advocates that the TL must focus on their own skill development in three areas: Professional Learning, Professional reading and research and professional dialogue and practice. These areas are key along with Principal support and funding for libraries to succeed into the future. The use of technology alongside traditional print resources will ensure our students are learning the skill set required. It is our responsibility to maintain a leadership/curriculum presence in our schools, to support our students and colleagues and to approach change with a positive and reflective attitude. Therefore the answer is no, TL are not on the endangered list!

Reference

Retrieved from: http://kb.com.au/content/uploads/2015/03/profession-at-tipping-point2.pdf

rawpixel / Pixabay

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Mar 13

Think about the ramifications of having ready access to information at all times. For example, how does this aspect affect you and your capacity to study this subject. What are 3 benefits and 3 negatives?

by debnicklin1

Digital overload is an often used term in our modern lives. I see my high school children who seem to be attached to their devises as often missing out on developing other life skills such as sport, cooking or music. It is all encompassing and their education as well as their entertainment, demands they keep their online lives up to date. Over time I too have increased my online presence which has taken away from other aspects of my life. Work and its requirements exceed the time allocation of the “working day.” I check emails and complete programming at home. I search online sites for relevant teaching resources often in my own time and using my technology.

Interestingly the French government has discussed the idea that a Labor Reform Bill be considered that workplaces of over 50 employees draft a policy whereby work emails will not be responded to until the employee returns to work. (2016) .Huffington Post. This is to alleviate the high levels of work/ stress that is more prevalent in recent times.

Three benefits;

  1. Information is always available. Our curiosity to answer a question instantly can be satisfied.
  2. Social connections and inclusion can fulfil our need to belong.
  3. Time saving. e.g. Paying bills or shopping online is a prudent use of time and energy.

Three negatives;

  1. Automation has given rise to unemployment and/or underemployment.
  2. Work crosses over over into home life. A digital work place can demand you respond remotely to aspects of our work.
  3. Digital distraction of too many aspects of our lives are online .

rawpixel / Pixabay

 

Reference

https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/work-emails-france-labor-law_us_57455130e4b03ede4413515a?section=australia

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Mar 13

Activity – Reflective Practice Explain what you think the phrase – the tool is directing the user – means? How do you think embedded AI affects how people use technology in the digital environment?

by debnicklin1

The tool directing the user is referring to Artificial Intelligence or AI. Search engines online begin to create a profile of our individual search habits online. An example I’ve noticed is ads for accommodation in Paris popping up after my teenage daughter was planning her dream trip to Paris for fun.

The following article from the Guardian by Charles Arthur.(2015) describes the positive uses of AI.

The best use for AI would be to help decisions about how to tackle some of the world’s biggest problems such as lack of access to clean water, inequality of access to food and finance, and stock market risks.

Arguments for and against the extensive use of AI appear in the media on occasions however it’s difficult to take a side because I have such a limited understanding of AI.

I suspect we don’t think about embedded technology very much at all. I suppose I ignore it as long as I am still able to google search to my heart’s content. It’s a bit like knowing it’s included and necessary  such as of the terms and conditions of any contract.

GDJ / Pixabay

Reference

Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/09/deepmind-artificial-intelligence-tool-humans-control

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Mar 9

ETL401:Module 1

by debnicklin1

ETL401

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Mar 7

ETL401: Blog Post B

by debnicklin1

Blog post Part B

Reflecting on your experiences as a teacher before you became interested in working in a school library, write a 500 word piece about your understandings of the role of the TL in schools.

____________________________________________________________________________

Growing up I always wanted to work in schools. It was a place where I slotted in and felt content and the library was a significant place of comfort. Teaching primary aged children is incredibly rewarding and allowed me to contribute in a fulfilling and meaningful way. After time off for raising my family, I returned to the classroom gradually and found myself being offered a little time filling in for the TL while she took some leave. It was here that I realised I belonged. Simply reading to students and opening the world of literature for them was immensely satisfying and allowing them to discover the hidden worlds inside the pages of a book was my carrot.

My take on the role of the TL was simplistic and limited. As long as I read to students, returned books, loaned books and kept the shelves tidy then I was fulfilling the role. Handling and accessioning new books was like the cherry on top. I was merely a curator of the objects within the walls of the Library. I was also providing a break for teachers with RFF and some would visibly relax when I took their class. In time I took over as Temporary in the Library and now in my second year I have increased my role description tenfold. I am coordinating with themes in the classroom and supporting teaching programs. I contribute to classroom curriculum outcomes and promote awareness of themes such as Harmony Day and NAIDOC week. Displays, locating resources for teachers, cleaning desks and even dusting all come under my umbrella as TL.
I am scratching the surface of the three major roles of Teacher Librarians as suggested by ASLA.(2019) on their website.

1. TL as curriculum leaders.
2. TL as information specialists.
3. TL as information service managers.

When I read the lists under each of these headings, I have a long way to go to fulfil each of these areas. The uphill battle of rapidly increasing student numbers and diminishing administration time squeezes my attention to these areas to tiny bite sized chunks of time. With 29 classes a week my time is spread thinly. I spend my time shelving, weeding and accessioning a couple of books at a time. My students inspire me and demand that I satisfy their need to devour literature. They also challenge me to enthuse the reluctant reader back to a love of story and print. The demand of the digital space and how it permeates all aspects of learning for our students and teachers is forging ahead rapidly. ‘Keeping up’ or ‘Being left behind’ is a concern of many and discerning what has educational value and is worthwhile among staff can vary widely. Our challenge is to reach a consensus.

I shall keep scratching the surface, until I begin to chip away larger chunks to realise the full potential of the role of the TL in a primary school and the roles influence for the school community.

fxxu / Pixabay

Reference
ASLA. (2019). Retrieved from https://asla.org.au/what-is-a-teacher-librarian

ETL401

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Mar 4

So let’s begin…

by debnicklin1

As I begin this challenge of study I am feeling enthusiastic and willing to learn. Overarching this however is a sense of foreboding and uncertainty that I recall at the start of my teaching career. Online study is unfamiliar to me and the extra commitments of family and full time work are thrown into the mix. I forge on in the knowledge that I will look back on this day, the first day as a positive and exciting time.

About Me

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