GEN: Reprise of Mike Eisenberg's Call to Action

[Mary Ann Bell <mbell@main.com>]

As I mentioned in a posting several days ago, I am working on some
research for a graduate class in curriculum issues at Baylor University,
TX. Essentially we are to research in depth five issues affecting
curriculum development and/or delivery. I took to heart the call to
action issued this fall by Mike Eisenberg in which he urged us to take
every opportunity to increase cooperation and collaboration with our
colleagues in other disciplines, both at the university and at the K-12
levels. I selected this as one of my five topics. Part of my assignment
is to elicit responses by way of personal or e-mail interviews. I
contacted Mike and asked him some questions I had after reading his
message and subsequent article in MultiMedia Schools, along with
articles by Gary Hartzell and others. The link for the MultiMedia
Schools article is:
http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/MMStocs/mar99toc.htm
It is the cover article and an excellent argument for moving forward
with this effort. Mike was kind enough to send me a wonderful reply,
even on this busy holiday week-end. He did ask that I post a description
of my research and ask if others can share things they are doing or
happenings they know about which exemplify steps taken in answer to this
call to action. I am including his very interesting responses to my
questions, and I also want to thank him publicly for the information
which follows. If anyone else can add to this discussion, I would be
most grateful.
    By the way, when I started this research there was a dearth of
articles on libraries and librarianship in publications other than those
by and for librarians. One development besides the MultiMedia Schools
article is the entire March issue of the NASSP Bulletin (National
Association of Secondary School Principals).  I believe this was
mentioned previously to LM_Netters but I wanted to reiterate its value.
As we librarians say, check it out!  Here are my questions with answers
from Mike Eisenberg:

 I wonder if you
could briefly answer the following. I want to stress that I have your
recent article in MultiMedia Schools as well as other articles and
certainly am not asking you to restate these or to make lengthy replies.

1. In your LM_Net message you mentioned your plans to meet with your
Dean of Education and discuss plans for increased communication. I was
wondering if you could share any information regarding that exchange and

suggestions for how other similar meetings could be successfully
conducted.

ME: Yes - we are speaking in a teacher prep class this quarter, are
talking
about other options for the future.  Also, we are including a discussion
of
libraries, information and technology in 4-day Principal Academies being

held this summer throughout the state of Washington.

2. Can you cite any universities where there is now exemplary sharing
between the Schools of Education and Library and Information Science?

ME: No, unfortunately, I cannot.

3. Do you have any additional comments for a grad class in curriculum
and instruction?

ME:  THis is the information age.  Information, libraries, and going
beyond
the textbook is NOT AN OPTION - it's a must. A good teacher-librarian
can
help schools make a quantum leap.

4. One of my other issues for research is the need for reform of schools

of education through initiatives such as The Holmes Group, AASCU, etc.
Do you have any comments about this issue?

ME:  My focus is on library and information education.  I agree that we
need
change throughout the system.  But, I don't believe in beating up on
schools
of ed.  Change isn't easy and schools of ed haven't had the mandate or
money
to make necessary changes.  But, the new federal money for technology in

teacher training is a start.  Let's not point fingers - let's get out
there
and do it.

All the best,

Mike



--
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"Try curiosity!"  --Dorothy Parker
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Mary Ann Bell, Librarian
York Junior High School
Conroe ISD, TX
Adjunct Reference Librarian
Montgomery College TX
mbell@main.com
mbell@conroe.isd.tenet.edu
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