Author: dikozlow

Redefining literacy skills and methods of teaching literacy

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All teaching and learning happens within an evolving context. As teachers we must adapt to changes within the social context in order to ensure that the teaching and learning that occurs within our classrooms is relevant. Literacy needs and skills are ever changing and I found it interesting that in the youtube clip one of the practitioners mentioned outdoor literacy and that there were multiple literacies. It is clear that we have moved beyond the reading and writing skills of literacy and well into the critical and creative thinking, and problem solving. I think that it was interesting that the comment was also made about the way in which media now invades our private lives. We have to also be aware of the need to encourage students to be discerning in their use of their own literacy.

Reference:

What Does it Mean to be Literate in the 21st Century?

Reading about GID

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When reading (Maniotes and Kuhlthau, 2014)  Making the shift there was one line that really stood out to me and resonated with me and my teaching practise “Typical assignments limit students’ ability to learn from a variety of sources and often result in a simple copying exercise”. I have grappled with this problem as a classroom teacher for a long time, designing tasks to try to solve this problem. However, I can now see how utilising the GID information literacy model can address this.

Reference

Maniotes, L.K, Kuhlthau, C. (2014) Making the shift. Knowledge Quest. 43(2) 8-17

What I can take from the discussion of Information Literacy to my role in the school

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What I realised is that Information literacy is such a complex concept that has so many facets. I particularly like Lupton’s  (2004) definition from module 5.2 that focuses on the learning elements. I realise that in my role as TL I will need to encourage higher order thinking and critical thinking. It is also important to teach problem solving skills that can be utilised throughout life in a multitude of contexts. It is clear that the information literacy that forms part of good teaching practise will be well utilised throughout a person’s life.

A time of change and difficulties

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Undertaking this study for the first time in over 20 years was going to be a challenge. However, i didn’t expect to also be dealing with a family tragedy at the same time. My newborn niece was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and this has sent all of us into chaos and grief. I took leave from work to help at the hospital and to deal with my own grief. Unfortunately at the same time I was due to be a part of the project team at work to be inserviced on PBL to deliver it within our school. I still hope to be part of this, and catch up as I’m very passionate about it, but at the same time our world has been turned upside down. I want to use this post to also bring more awareness to the life changing, life limiting chronic illness of CF and for others to appreciate the impact that this disease has on families. I also wanted to bring light to the fact that our journeys are never certain and just when you think you are on a certain trajectory life can change that in an instant.

Discussion essay

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I had forgotten the length of time it takes to research for an essay and to write an essay. It brought back memories of the time over 20 years ago when I first studied. Despite the fact that I have over 20 years of teaching experience I felt like a novice again, and was continually questioning my abilities. I found that you really need decent slabs of time to read and do some serious preparation (which is not easy working and having a family). I did spend a lot of time thinking and processing in my head what I had read and what I wanted to say. This was in addition to the time that I had spent actually sitting and working on the task. Lots of new discoveries about learning and about myself in the process.

Are school librarians an endangered species?

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From listening to Karen Bonanno’s works at the ASLA, 2011 conference: A profession at the tipping point: Time to change the game plan, and her 2015 A profession at the tipping point (revisited) the take home message for me is that school librarians are not an endangered species. If they approach their role with enthusiasm and drive they have the ability to be one of the school’s most valuable and essential resources. Individual teacher librarians who don’t embrace the opportunities that the unique position holds will endanger their usefulness. However, as a whole the profession sits in a very good position to be drivers of change and continue to play a key role in student learning.

Discussion essay

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The idea of having to compose a discussion essay for the first time in 20 years is very daunting. It has placed me in the position as a student on the other side of the classroom for the first time in 20 years. It has also given me a greater awareness of the fears that my students face when asked to complete a task. I found that the online meeting was extremely useful. Unfortunately I had already began my research, and after the meeting I realised that my track was slightly off and needed realigning. It was excellent to get that clarity about what was needed for the task. It highlighted to me the need to take the time to carefully read the task, and do careful preparation and planning even prior to beginning my research. It also reinforced to me the fact that often my students get lost at this beginning phase, and without clarifying what is needed for a task they can’t possible be on the right track. I’m really seeing a greater connection between what I’m learning and how I can relate this to my teaching.

Getting back to it

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I found myself both nervous and excited as I participated in the online meeting regarding research skills. Being apprehensive is normal because of the time that has elapsed since I last studied. It gives me great insight into how students in my classes and within the school must regularly feel as they too embark on new learning experiences. It’s always interesting when the teacher becomes the student.

Artificial intelligence in the information world

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In reflecting on artificial intelligence my thoughts are already ones of concern. I understand that certain social media platforms and other things are speaking to one another and this has impacted me too. I find that things that I have searched related to internet purchases find their way into my social media feeds. It begs the question what is private nowadays? If systems can do this will they also be able to one day interpret our emotions and feelings and then nothing is any longer private?