The Teacher Librarian as Educator
As I progress through my first semester of this degree, I now begin to understand the reason that a Teacher Librarian is called exactly that. With the TEACHER still attached, and notably at the front, of the title.
Throughout the course we have been introduced to the idea that our role as Teacher Librarians (TLs) is complex and multifaceted. I think I first sunk my teeth into this idea when we were asked as a part of our module homework to read and compare the role of the TL according to what different authors and governing bodies have written about the subject. I will link those notes here.
However, just for this post, I want to focus on our role as EDUCATORS. Through the course we have been (re) introduced to the General Capabilities as listed by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). I have been teaching for almost six years now and in that time have had the opportunity to work on and create programs and units for my school based on the NSW syllabus. So, I am well aware of the General Capabilities (as well as the other Cross Curriculum Priorities) (ACARA, n.d.). But it has only been in this class that I have been introduced to the thinking that the General Capabilities are our subject area. Now, that is a tangible concept I can latch on to and really sink my teeth into.
The General Capabilities are as follows:
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
- Critical and Creative Thinking
- Personal and Social Capability
- Ethical Understanding
- Intercultural Understanding (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA], n.d.- b)
I know the General Capabilities are taught across all stages and all subjects. But I really think that there is a huge need for Teacher Librarians to be covering these vital learning areas as well. Not least because there is no way that classroom teachers can cover everything, but to solidify the Teacher Librarian and the library as the centre of learning and information that ties everything together. Afterall, as Teacher Librarians we are curriculum leaders and information specialists (Australian School Library Association [ASLA], n.d.-b)
ASLA outlines some of the roles of a Teacher Librarian in more detail. They line up quite well with some of the General Capabilities. Some I focused on include promoting and teaching information skills through resource-based learning, prioritising literacy, familiarising students with using ICT resources and using information and these information processing skills for school and in their lives (ASLA, n.d.-b).
As an English teacher, I noticed that despite my work in the classroom, students were still lacking in key areas that became particularly evident when I marked their research work. These skills can be summarised by looking at the learning continuums for the General Capabilities.
I chose to focus on a few skills I would like to strengthen with my students.
- Literacy: Text knowledge element (ACARA, n.d.-a).
- ICT: Investigating with ICT element (ACARA, n.d.-d).
- Critical and Creative Thinking: Inquiring – identifying, exploring and organising information and ideas element (ACARA, n.d.-c)
These elements refer to students being able to do the following things:
- Use ICT tools to search for and find information accurately and effectively
- Use critical and creative thinking skills to interpret, evaluate, analyse and select information for their purposes
- Rewrite texts in their own words
- Reference and use citation conventions correctly
Yes, these are skills currently taught in classrooms all across Australia. However, as Teacher Librarians we are in the unique position of seeing potentially every student to walk through the school gates. We have the responsibility and the opportunity to provide “world class quality education” through access to “quality modern libraries” (ASLA, n.d.-a). Therefore, we must not forget that important word “teacher” that stands in front of our Librarian title.
References:
Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority. (n.d.-a). Critical and Creative Thinking learning continuum. Retrieved from https://docs.acara.edu.au/resources/General_capabilities_-CCT_-_learning_continuum.pdf
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (n.d.-b). General Capabilities. Australian Curriculum. https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/general-capabilities/
Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority. (n.d.-c). Information and Communication Technology Capability learning continuum. Retrieved from https://docs.acara.edu.au/resources/General_capabilities_-_ICT_-_learning_continuum.pdf
Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority. (n.d.-d). Literacy learning continuum. Retrieved from https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/media/3596/general-capabilities-literacy-learning-continuum.pdf
Australian School Library Association [ASLA]. (n.d. -a). Joint Statement on School Libraries. https://asla.org.au/school-libraries
Australian School Library Association [ASLA]. (n.d.-b). What is a Teacher Librarian? https://asla.org.au/what-is-a-teacher-librarian