ETL401 – Module 5.2
Reflective Practice
Your thoughts: Discussions of information literacy in this module are diverse and interesting. In your journal (Thinkspace), reflect on what you can take from the discussion of information literacy to your TL role in school.
Information Literacy (IL) is a complex and multifaceted approach to teaching and learning. It can be seen as a set of skills, this behaviourist approach where skills are learnt or acquired or conversely, as a sociocultural approach, a way of learning, collaboration and information exchange. Both viewpoints are correct, both have merit and both have their place in the teacher librarian role, it is primarily the context and purpose for which the participants define the information, because ultimately ‘people see teaching and learning differently’ (Bruce, Edwards and Lupton, 2007, p. 1) and secondly, ‘people see information literacy differently’ (p. 2).
So how does the complexity of IL transfer to the school library and to the teacher librarian role?
I think Kutner & Armstrong pose an important question in their journal article, a question I have often pondered myself as I take my K-6 classes for their 45 minute lesson each week,
“HOW DO LIBRARIANS AS PRACTITIONERS ENGAGE IN THIS EXPANDED NOTION OF INFORMATION LITERACY, GIVEN THE LIMITED TIME MOST HAVE WITH STUDENTS?” (p. 2)
The aspect of “limited time” spoke to me. By the time I bring in each class, settle them, go through the routines of welcoming, returning books and introducing the lesson or revising what we are to continue with, reading a text and then of course borrowing time and task completion…how do I ensure that quality teaching and learning is achieved? How do I ensure that the content stays relevant?
Therefore, I keep coming back to the notion of life-long learners. Not only being encouraging students to strive towards this but to be one myself, lead by example. To empower them to be engaged learners, critical thinkers, and have a connection with the information environment. As the TL on staff I try to lead the way for collaboration amongst staff, sharing a fundamental core set of values and enculturation of these ideals within the school context as a whole. Continuing to ask questions and seek answers and be future leaders.
References
Bruce, C., Edwards, C., & Lupton, M. (2006). Six frames for information literacy education: A conceptual framework for interpreting the relationships between theory and practice. Innovation in teaching and learning information and computer sciences, 5(1), 1-18. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.11120/ital.2006.05010002
Kutner, L. & Armstrong, A. (2012). Rethinking information literacy in a globalised world. Communications in Information Literacy, 6(1), 24-33. CSU Library.