This week I started my 4th subject on my journey to become a Teacher Librarian. I have read quite a few things so far and it makes sense that the TL should be viewed as a leader within the school. Leaders are visionary, they manage budgets and staff and they want the best for their studentsso they try to be forward thinking in their programming and teaching strategies. So too, the TL.
As I wrote on the forum, I could really relate to the Streeton Primary School reading on The 12 Quality Principles. The examples are given in an educational context that helps to illustrate important points about teamwork within a school; quality leadership; meeting the needs of students; putting plans into action; fostering good relationships with those we work with and reflecting on needs and successes within a school so as to be able to improve upon what is happening in the school.
My son's school has been undergoing a lot of change - Principal retired in Week 6 of Term 4 last year and the 4 assistant Principals were in charge until the end of the year. This year they have a relief Principal for first term and then the 'real' Principal will be appointed starting next term. Due to this lack of leadership many teachers have taken the first term off, hoping to start the year afresh with the new Principal. Unfortunately, the students are suffering and the lack of vision and teamwork is clearly evident. For me, this illustrates the need for strong leadership (and quality principles!), support among staff to create a shared vision and the ability to provide sound, educational programs for students instead of fillers to make due until the 'real' Principal arrives. My son is bored with the worksheets but loves the games that they get to play with their new teacher. Come on new Principal - this school needs some vision, some direction and focus for the students. The dwindling numbers are telling the sad tale, ie. lack of leadership and vision = fewer students to teach.
Friday, 2 March 2012
Monday, 27 February 2012
Seeing a Teacher Librarian in action
Last week I had the pleasure of seeing a Teacher Librarian (TL) in action. I was the casual in a Year 3 class for the day and the Library lesson had been overlooked. Since no-one had set up another class for me to teach, I took this as my opportunity to sit in (and help where I could) on a library lesson. It was fabulous, though I must say, the time flew by. The TL began the Library lesson by reviewing the rules of the Library. She then took the students on a tour of the Library because, as graduates from Infants, they were now able to borrow from other sections in the Library. She then introduced them to the school OPAC and had them search for books that they might be interested in reading. After this they were allowed to select books and borrow. I walked around with a few students who weren't really sure about what they wanted to borrow. It was great to have the chance to talk to them about their interests and to find books that they were excited to take home and read. All too soon the bell rang and I was off to my recess duty.... It really was a great opportunity for me to see a TL in action.
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Budgeting - yet another role of the Teacher Librarian
Another aspect of Teacher Librarianship that I gave little thought to was budgeting. Again, I am forced to look at the ever increasing roles of the Teacher Librarian and wonder how do they fit it all this stuff in???!!! How will I fit all this in? After many deep breaths, I started reading...
The Debowski (2001) chapter was long but extremely informative and helped me sort out the different facets of budgeting that a TL has to deal with in my own mind. Through the article many goals arose:
* build a funding base so financial support is easily achieved
* ensure that your collection reflects the needs of the users
* be visibly accountable by publishing outcomes
* hand in a budget submission every year
* maintain a record of the costs associated with providing
electronic services
* evaluate your collection using collection mapping to
identify needs and areas that are lacking.
Lamb and Johnson (2007) identified 3 roles of the TL as a good budget manager:
1) Collaborator - collaborate with members of the school community to secure and allocate money for the budget.
2) Steward - a leader who seeks input from others; bases choices on needs of the community; can account for all spending; implement and assess results and communicate these results to the community.
3) Thinker - search for ways to gain additional funding but also make the most of what you have.
The thing I related to most though was in the Marge Cox (2008) article when she stated, "Put on your own oxygen mask first". In her article she says this as a reminder that the TL should include items in the budget that will keep you up-to-date with what is going on in your profession. I read this and saw myself, hyperventilating on my first day as a TL ..... so many roles for one person.
The Debowski (2001) chapter was long but extremely informative and helped me sort out the different facets of budgeting that a TL has to deal with in my own mind. Through the article many goals arose:
* build a funding base so financial support is easily achieved
* ensure that your collection reflects the needs of the users
* be visibly accountable by publishing outcomes
* hand in a budget submission every year
* maintain a record of the costs associated with providing
electronic services
* evaluate your collection using collection mapping to
identify needs and areas that are lacking.
Lamb and Johnson (2007) identified 3 roles of the TL as a good budget manager:
1) Collaborator - collaborate with members of the school community to secure and allocate money for the budget.
2) Steward - a leader who seeks input from others; bases choices on needs of the community; can account for all spending; implement and assess results and communicate these results to the community.
3) Thinker - search for ways to gain additional funding but also make the most of what you have.
The thing I related to most though was in the Marge Cox (2008) article when she stated, "Put on your own oxygen mask first". In her article she says this as a reminder that the TL should include items in the budget that will keep you up-to-date with what is going on in your profession. I read this and saw myself, hyperventilating on my first day as a TL ..... so many roles for one person.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Copyright
Very interesting reading of the copyright laws for schools and TAFE's. If you want to read more see: www.smartcopying.edu.au
Some of the more interesting things I found were:
* In Australia there is automatic protection of copyright.
* Schools can use DVD's and videos for non-educational purposes; eg. rainy days and on bus trips (if the school provides the movie) ONLY if schools have a Co-curricular licence. If the school does not have this license, permission must be gained from the movie's distributor to play the movie.
* Schools should not borrow DVD's from students or parents as they could be pirated. There are serious penalties for playing pirated movies in schools.
* The Teacher Librarian should not have to police copyrighting issues at the school - each teacher should be aware of the rules and the penalties involved if copyright is breached. (This involves website and internet copyright as well as print materials, electronic materials, dvd's etc.)
Creative commons:
Schools are able to use creative commons resources free of charge. This includes music, film clips and photos. A list of creative commons symbols can be found on the smartcopying website. This will help teachers identify resources that are protected under the creative commons licence.
Some of the more interesting things I found were:
* In Australia there is automatic protection of copyright.
* Schools can use DVD's and videos for non-educational purposes; eg. rainy days and on bus trips (if the school provides the movie) ONLY if schools have a Co-curricular licence. If the school does not have this license, permission must be gained from the movie's distributor to play the movie.
* Schools should not borrow DVD's from students or parents as they could be pirated. There are serious penalties for playing pirated movies in schools.
* The Teacher Librarian should not have to police copyrighting issues at the school - each teacher should be aware of the rules and the penalties involved if copyright is breached. (This involves website and internet copyright as well as print materials, electronic materials, dvd's etc.)
Creative commons:
Schools are able to use creative commons resources free of charge. This includes music, film clips and photos. A list of creative commons symbols can be found on the smartcopying website. This will help teachers identify resources that are protected under the creative commons licence.
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Assignment 1 reflection - ETL 503
It was with much hesitation that I sent my first assignment for ETL503 through EASTS on Monday evening. This is the first time that I was not happy with what I was submitting. From the beginning of this subject I have felt like I'm lagging behind, unable to catch up. I have felt at a disadvantage not being in a library already and not knowing what some of the people in the forum have been discussing in the way of resources. Needless to say, I am hoping for a pass. Fingers crossed.
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Kennedy text
For ETL 503, I am currently reading through the Kennedy text, "Collection Management: A concise Introduction". It is an informative and interesting book, however, I am finding many references to books and articles published in the '90's. Although I am sure that these have lots of pertinent information to collection management, I am sure that there are more recent resources that could be referenced.
As an example, I have just come across a reference to a magazine called Australia Bookseller and Publisher which gives up-to-date information on what is happening in the book world. By doing an internet search I came across the online version of this at http://www.booksellerandpublisher.com.au/
Not only does it list the Bestselling books for the week but also has interesting articles from around the world including one on why Japanese people are unlikely to ever read an e-book.
As an example, I have just come across a reference to a magazine called Australia Bookseller and Publisher which gives up-to-date information on what is happening in the book world. By doing an internet search I came across the online version of this at http://www.booksellerandpublisher.com.au/
Not only does it list the Bestselling books for the week but also has interesting articles from around the world including one on why Japanese people are unlikely to ever read an e-book.
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Indecision ....
After much indecision, I am going to go ahead with ETL503 over the Christmas holiday break. I must say that I was totally overwhelmed by the brief and the assignments and have been second guessing myself for awhile. Now I have committed myself though, there is no turning back! That being said, I am still very unsure of it all. I was at a school on Wednesday and took a copy of my assignments to discuss some ideas with the Teacher Librarian. As soon as I mentioned the school's Collection Policy, there was a shift in the conversation. They don't have one and she doubts whether any Catholic school on the Coast would have one either because they are "old hat". Hmmm... not a good start. So am off next week to visit a Public school and a Public Library to see if I can find someone who has a collection policy and is willing to talk to me about it. Fingers crossed...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)