Month: November 2022

The multiple meanings of ‘information’.

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Information. It’s a word I use at least ten times per day.


Use the information in the text to…

What information does the source provide us about…

Don’t forget to acknowledge where your information came from…

 

Learning the different definitions of ‘information’ and the varying ways that information may be used depending on the context highlighted the important role the TL plays in supporting the needs of all the school community members. Whilst I am confident in my subject area, there is so much more to learn regarding how to help teachers and students from other subject areas meet their informational needs.

In particular, I was captivated by the Understanding stage of The Information Hierarchy (Wideman, 2008). As a classroom teacher, this is the most challenging, but also the most rewarding, part of the role. Locating (or assisting the students in locating) information and communicating it to the class, then using various strategies to help them connect to and understand the significance of this information. The quality of the knowledge and (hopefully) wisdom that comes from this process depends on the calibre of the information that this understanding is based on. I look forward to learning the skills to support students in locating high-quality, accurate information as the course progresses.

 

Reference

Wideman, R.M. (2008). The Information Hierarchy. [Powerpoint slides]

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.”

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Welcome to my blog, where I will recount my experiences as I study for my Master of Education in Teacher Librarianship. Having never blogged before in my life, I must make my apologies in advance.

I came across the quote in my post title by Fred DeVito earlier this year, right at a time when I was deliberating whether to enrol in this course. Even though DeVito was referring to fitness and exercise, it made me realise that whilst I love being in the classroom and working with my students, there was something missing. I needed something new but still in the field I love.

I have been a High School teacher since 2006 and the Head of the History Department at my school since 2017. I predominantly teach Junior History, in addition to Modern History, Legal Studies, Society and Culture, and History Extension in the Senior years. It is these senior courses that have inspired me to study Teacher Librarianship. One part of teaching I love the most is helping students to complete their major research projects in both Society and Culture and History Extension. Seeing them develop their own research topic and conduct their own research has always been so rewarding. To be better equipped to support this process and help establish the skills to research effectively in all students is the challenge I have set for myself.

Whether I end up working as a Teacher Librarian or simply incorporate the skills and knowledge I will learn along the way back into the classroom, I am looking forward to the journey.