Every school is constantly encouraging teachers and training staff to improve the level of interaction students have with their learning, particularly when it focuses on a real world example. I was amazed with some of the new Virutal/Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technology that is being introduced to NSW schools this past week in Professional Learning (PL). The technology is now providing so many opportunities for students to interact both with each other and with applications that encourage creativity through imaginative thinking skills. One of the examples that was provided during PL was for students to take 360 degree photos of classrooms or open playground areas so they can create their own augmented reality environment. Students have been able to alter these environments using Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) skills to reflect creativity and provide working samples for creative story writing or during research project time.
I have been reflecting over the following question (particularly in regards to how technology is now enabling students to create their own learning environments): How does the school library contribute to success in the school? This question can open up so many opportunities for students to learn whether it be in a physical setting or online. Having the opportunity to overlap multiple curriculum areas into lessons allows for students to demonstrate not only literacy skills when they enter the library but also interactive ICT skills. The Teacher Librarian (TL) can therefore encourage students to strive for success particularly when focusing on project based learning that harnesses the use of ICT programs to achieve a variety of solutions to open-ended learning. The library can be an important place for students to be encouraged to generate ideas, plan and process their learning through technology (ACARA, n.d). This learning process can be guided by the TL so that succinct communication can be made to the Classroom Teacher (CT) in order to identify where each student is progressing in a particular unit of work. Encouraging students to be practical in real-world situations allows the TL to provide digital links that can assist them in broadening their understanding of a particular topic. By doing this the students are able to continually reflect on new information that is being taught by the CT and then followed up by the TL as one of their roles is to assist students with new ways to think and learn particularly when using ICT programs.
Having students striving for success in the school library means that they are able to broaden personal ways in which they think both during school time and outside of the school environment.
Reference:
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (n.d). Information Communication and Technology Capability. Retrieved from https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/general-capabilities/information-and-communication-technology-ict-capability/
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