Re: [LM_NET] New National Education Technology Plan and School Libraries

[Barbara COMBES <b.combes@ECU.EDU.AU>]

Hi All,
What is perhaps more disturbing is the general perception that
tech-savvy students actually know it all. How many students actually use
their email software to manage their information (Information literacy
(IL) skill), how many really use their wordprocessing and spreadsheet
software (Information literacy skills) or do they use it as a glorified
typewriter and calculator (rather than for the presentation,
organisation and sythesis of information in a variety of formats) and
how many actually know anything about search engines, how they work and
how to search effectively? How many actually talk about the Internet
when they really mean the Web and really the public domain Web? 

Recent research in the Uk and Australia has indicated that students
coming into tertiary education actually don't know how to find
information at all. There is also the assumption by many that IL =
location skills, when in fact it is much more that. An information
literate person can acquire information from a variety of resources
('cos not everything is available digitally), collate, deconstruct and
make meaning, analyse, evaluate and reconstruct information to make new
meaning and build on their own prior knowledge - ie. a lifelong learner.
We aqcuire information visually, orally, from print sources, electronic
sources, realia and from other human beings. We interpret, evaluate and
analyse information as part of our everyday communication.

The technology is just a tool. Librarians and LMS/TLs are information
specialists. We know it - our challenge is to get the rest of the world
to understand what ity is we have to offer.

End of my rant!
:)
BC


@ Your Library

Barbara Combes, Lecturer
School of Computer and Information Science
Edith Cowan University, Perth Western Australia
Ph: (08) 9370 6072
Email: b.combes@ecu.edu.au

"Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that
of an ignorant nation."

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-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Simon Sykes
Sent: Tuesday, 11 January 2005 11:26 PM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: [LM_NET] New National Education Technology Plan and School
Libraries

It was interesting to read an American perspective on this problem which
is definitely a big issue for UK schools, where there are comparatively
few professional librarians in schools and the internet has been seen as
the answer to all problems. Interestingly I think as the net becomes
more ubiquitous staff and students are becoming more aware of the net as
a problem as well as a solution.

Simon Sykes
Library Resource Centre Manager
Community Education Manager
Jack Hunt School
Ledbury Road
Peterborough
United Kingdom
PE3 9PN

01733 700895


-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@listserv.syr.edu] On Behalf Of Ellen Wickham
Sent: 11 January 2005 15:20
To: LM_NET@listserv.syr.edu
Subject: GEN: New National Education Technology Plan and School
Libraries

Colleagues:
After reading the entire National Ed Tech Plan, I have to agree with
Peter that it's sad that school libraries weren't mentioned.
Following are some of my thoughts regarding the report.

There is obviously no understanding by the authors regarding the value
of librarians and the library.  Mention was made several times of the
"tech-savvy" students leading the ed tech reform movement.  I would
suggest that there is a tremendous difference between being "tech-savvy"
and being information literate.  Unless students (and, unfortunately,
some classroom teachers) become more information literate with regard to
Internet use, we will continue to be "a Nation at Risk."

Have students truly "mastered the wonders of the Internet"???  I think
not when it comes to research for school work.  Further, using
California as an example of excellence in educational technology and
internet use is horrifying in light of how the state's librarians and
libraries and treated (this coming from what I read here and in
professional journals).

It was interesting to note that one of the recommendations was to
strengthen technology leadership.  However, no mention was made of the
traditional tech leader in many schools... the librarian.   What I have
seen is that NCLB has undermined technology leadership in buildings with
regard to librarianship.  How many of us have experienced a negative
impact on their professional situation since NCLB was enacted?


The truly sad part about this entire report, imho, is that once again,
the folks who will be reading and internalizing this report will have
their opinions reinforced regarding the quality of student Internet
research, and continue to be in the dark about the direct and positive
relationship between libraries, librarians and educational excellence.
This report will provide the ammunition to further undermine, erode and
devalue our profession.  Why have librarians and libraries when
everything students need is on the Internet?

_end of rant_

C. Ellen Wickham
Library Media Specialist
Bridger 8th Grade Center
Independence, MO 64057
816-796-4800
ewickham@indep.k12.mo.us



> --- Peter Milbury <pmilbury@IIS.SYR.EDU> wrote:
>
>> Dear LM_NET Colleagues,
>>
>> Just wondering how many others have seen the brand new National 
>> Education Technology Plan. If you have, please share your thoughts 
>> with the rest of LM_NET on how you think this new plan might affect 
>> school libraries.
>>
>> My first impression was one of dismay that school libraries were not 
>> mentioned (at least I didn't see many mention).
>>
>> See:
>>
> http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/plan/2004/index.htm
> l
>>
>> Please feel free to post your comments and observations to the entire

>> LM_NET group.
>>
>> Peter Milbury, LM_NET Co-Moderator
>> pmilbury@iis.syr.edu
>> School Librarian/CA TeleMentor, Chico HS, Chico, CA
>>

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