How does one really learn?
We learn through our own experiences, and often through others.
My views on literary learning have developed beyond this simple statement through the knowledge acquired in ‘Literature Across the Curriculum’.
Literature allows us to live others’ lives, in another time and reality. It allows us to experience emotions and connections. It opens up a wider view of the world and experience different perspectives.
The course provided an opportunity to realise these benefits and much more. Exploring the capabilities of utilising fiction in educating across curriculum areas was beneficial in a practical sense. The assessment tasks provided arguments for incorporation of resources into teaching programs from Kindergarten to Year 12 within my own school setting. I have already used the resources and knowledge acquired to provide arguments for further funding and resourcing.
Since completing Module 2- Diverse voices and forms, I now have numerous children’s books blog posts popping up in my daily emails. This keeps me relevant and current.
With honesty in mind, I did struggle with trying to ‘label’ and ‘classify’ books into so many categories; The multitude of narrative techniques, writing styles, forms, formats….. As well as the many literacies- trans, multi, visual etc etc. Trying to determine and label when so many just don’t fit the box was and still remains challenging.
Subsequently, when delving into Genres and 21st century trends I was reassured that we don’t need to label as much literature overlaps genres. I was encouraged when exploring the various readings around literature with themes of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual and Questionsing (LGBTIQA+). ‘They kind of rely on the library’ (Oltmann, 2016) provided me with a realisation of support around my own thoughts and feelings about pushing for LGBT materials in my library collection. Working in a Christian School library presents challenges in this area, however this reading gave me inspiration and knowledge to make my argument stronger.
Finally, Module 7- Teaching and Promotion Strategies for Using Literature offered a huge variety of readings that allowed a more specific direction for researching my own personal setting. One of my goals in my role as a Teacher Librarian (TL )is to change the culture of reading in my school. Specifically I have been working on a proposal to introduce a whole school reading program. A Culture of Reading (2010) provided me with useful and practical information to integrate into my proposal. Furthermore the strategies of sustained silent reading (SSR) and DEAR (Drop everything and read) gave names to my thoughts.
The concepts and applications presented in this module in 7.2 Curriculum-based teaching on literary learning strategies for classrooms have developed my understanding even further through the development of assessment 2- A literary learning resource kit. Not so much with the theoretical readings of Beach, Appleman, Hynds & Wilhelm (2011). I found this reading a challenge and would suggest it as a use for specific questions and guidance rather than background knowledge.
Final reflections based upon 8.1 leave me remembering, although the subject and assessments are done, As a TL my questioning, learning, reflecting is never done. I will continue to question ways in which I can provide my students with access to diverse and rich resources through making arguments for the benefits. I will continue to encounter challenges in my role and will continue to advertise and sell myself as a literature and literacy expert along with all the other statements suggested in Johnson’s (2018) Blog post.
References
A Culture of Reading. (2010). Reading Today, 27(6), 38. https://www.proquest.com/docview/375563030/fulltextPDF/EDCA6AEE09C148D4PQ/8?parentSessionId=tpBUXfYLLEG25Iwwv%2BYpo9jo12N6GZlTxCArMiRCYmo%3D
Beach, R., Appleman, D., Fecho, B., Simon, R., Hynds, S., & Wilhelm, J. (2011). Teaching literature to adolescents. Taylor & Francis Group. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/csuau/reader.action?docID=667835
Anonymous. (2023). ETL402- Literature Across the Curriculum. Charles Sturt University. https://interact2.csu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_66271_1&content_id=_5641624_1&mode=reset
Johnson, D. (2018, August 10). BFTP. School Libraries – a student right. The Blue Skunk Blog. http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2018/8/10/bftp-school-libraries-a-student-right.html
Oltmann, S. M. (2016). “They kind of rely on the library”: School librarian serving LGBT students. Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults, 7(1). http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Oltmann_They-Kind-of-Rely-on-the-Library.pdf