Our tech people (three of them) and the librarians (two of us) work together
rather well, primarily because there are some things that we each do better
than the other (and admit it).
The one thing that I noticed that has integrated our departments was when we
(the librarians) wrote our Information Literacy curriculum this summer. We
reviewed several different curriculums that we received from a variety of
schools, integrated what we felt would work best for us, and divided the
curriculum into areas that included the library and the technology areas.
We talked about the curriculum for three months and explained how we felt
that technology and research worked well together (especially since we had
several online databases that were in the library that could be used by our
students--and the tech people didn't know how to search them...but were
interested.)
We (librarians) spent the summer writing the curriculum and put a lot of
emphasis on what we wanted to do regarding the library areas and research
(using Information Power Standards, Big 6, etc.). After we finished
writing the curriculum (and it was approved by the administration), we then
asked if the tech people would help us to "tweak" the technology areas by
giving us ideas of how we could integrate a variety of technology areas that
they taught into the Information Literacy program. We told them that since
they were the "experts" in the field of technology, that we would depend
upon their knowledge of how difficult tasks might be for students in order
to determine at what level specific goals and objectives might be approached
(for example: Kindergarten students will be able to identify the following
items on a computer: mouse, keyboard, CPU, monitor, etc.)
Our tech people met with us, added their ideas and more goals to our
curriculum. They became excited because we asked that when we begin to
integrate the Big 6 skills into the curriculum that they be involved in
helping the students integrate the technology into their projects. (As a
team approach--- teacher, library media specialist, and technology
instructor--- we are supporting the curriculum and moving the students
forward to more understanding.)
Overall, we were a bit sly in our approach...but in the end we have been
objective and involved them in our new endeavor...Information Literacy.
Perhaps if you develop an idea where the two of you can integrate the best
of both areas, then you can share the work load without stepping on toes.
(I'm also teaching my tech people how to use the online databases and which
ones do what things...while they teach me how to fine-tune my webpage
design, Power Point creations, and other techie endeavors...)
Although I can teach Power Point, web design, etc., I'd rather teach the
research part to the students and brainstorm with the students and teachers
on ways to develop their projects...then I step aside and allow my tech
people to teach the students how to work on the tech-end.
The work load shift makes my life much easier...and heaven knows, I need it
now more than ever! *grin* In addition, I think it has brought the two
groups together because we are now using the same terminology to both
students and teachers....it's so cool! It makes us both look smarter than
what we'd be alone.
~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US
Library Media Specialist
Fort Worth, TX
sbrisco021@charter.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marilyn Harfst" <harfst@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
To: <LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU>
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2003 5:18 PM
Subject: LMC/TECH Conflict
> LMNetters,
>
> I need your advice. I am the library media specialist at a 6-8 middle
> school. Last year a new position was created in our school --
Instructional
> Technology Facilitator. I was eagerly looking forward to having a teammate
> and hoped we could collaborate together with the staff. However, that
isn't
> what happened. My "teammate" feels that she should take care of all the
> technology issues, and I should only deal with "dewey decimal" or books.
>
> For the last ten years I have been actively involved in technology. I have
> taken technology classes, taught staff development technology classes,
> developed our school's web page, and introduced the research process to
our
> staff. I don't feel that you can separate technology from the role of
> today's library media specialists, especially in the area of research. My
> teammate doesn't agree with me, and we had a very "uncomfortable" year,
and
> ended in a stalemate.
>
> This year I went to my principal with my concerns, and he wants to help.We
> are seeking a way to end this conflict. Do any of you have suggestions for
> handling the overlap in our job descriptions? How have you worked out your
> working relationship with the full time tech person in your building? I
> really need your help and suggestions.
>
> Marilyn Harfst, LMS
> Hannah Beardsley Middle School
> Crystal Lake, IL
> harfst@sbcglobal.net
>
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