The Teacher Librarian (TL) is faced with surmounting challenges to avoid censorship and uphold the students’ rights to intellectual freedom. Censorship itself is a difficult concept to define, a fluidic notion that changes with the times (Duthie, 2010). Moody (2005) describes an accepted key aspect of censorship involves a significant restriction of free access to… Continue reading Ethics, Censorship and Collection Development Policy
Weeding up close After my last blog post, I began thinking more critically about some of the processes of collection analysis/evaluation and the TL’s direct role in them. I came across a blog post on the process of ‘Weeding’, as Debowski (2001) suggests an essential ongoing part of collection management. In my previous readings on… Continue reading Weeding Up Close
Collection Management and Collection Appraisal Collection appraisal, part of the collection process, is that in which the collection is reviewed to ensure it is relevant and current in meeting user needs (Debowski, 2001). To make the best use of funding, the TL must work collaboratively with the teachers and all stakeholders to identify needs… Continue reading Collection Appraisal
The Library Collection is a growing organism designed to support learning. The library collection’s overarching Purpose: Assisting inquiry Transfer of information Development of knowledge. Collections are constantly undergoing change and should be seen within the context of the school community. Collections must include the vast needs of all the stakeholders, including students, teachers, administrators,… Continue reading Library Collection Development or Management?
There is no doubt that one thing I have learned throughout ETL 401 is that we are fast living in an ever changing and dynamic information landscape. The overabundance and endlessness of information and the speed in which it is delivered is changing the way in not only how we view literacy but also the… Continue reading Part C Reflective Practice
Literacy can be viewed through various lenses, from the general perspective seen in the Oxford Dictionary definition of Literacy as; the ability to read and write; and competence or knowledge in a specified area. Or an extension of this into more complex meaning noted in the context of school’s English curriculum as; reading; writing (closely… Continue reading Literacy Watered Down?
In her article, Dr Carol Kuhlthau (2004) explains that in order to understand the user’s perspective on information seeking, it is helpful to delve into the theory of other fields, noting in particular the psychology of learning. Dewey: A Philosophical and Historical Perspective Dewey described learning as an active individual process, not something done to someone… Continue reading Learning as a Process
Inquiry Based Learning is a broad pedagogical approach which has enjoyed widespread support by educators and education systems over the past decade. Inquiry can be defined as‘seeking for truth, information or knowledge /understanding’ and is used in all facets and phases of life. Specific processes of inquiry have become central to knowledge building or… Continue reading Relinquishing Control
The TL is a one of a duel role, one which has been cited as “invisible and overlooked” by school governing bodies according to Karen Bonanno is her 2011 ASLA conference speech. Bonanno speaks of a long history which has seen Teacher Librarian roles being underestimated and misunderstood, with added concerns of an aging profession,… Continue reading Endangered Species?
The information landscape of the twenty-first century is a complex and evolving concept that is currently populated by new and old information artefacts, technologies and people. These are all factors which ultimately change the structure of the landscape itself and how society views it, and vice versa (Combes & Valli, 2007). In the readings for this week… Continue reading Tip of the Iceberg
