One personal comment that I received from a librarian on the list
mentioned that perhaps we (as librarians) are ignored in the technology
documents because many librarians are not actively involved IN
technology within their schools--- and this includes doing even some
simple things such as checking cables, cords, or connections when
computers "are down."
Perhaps many of us are not taking a significant part in the process that
involves technology. Are we on the school's technology committees? Do
we have a voice (or ask questions) when programs are being decided on
for placement? Do we share our knowledge (and research) in the programs
that we have seen work in other schools (or have used)? Are we doing
more than hooking up VCRs and pulling down film screens?
I realize that many of us are involved in technology (some more than
others) but do those who are not involved find themselves struggling to
make their administrators / technology people aware of the problems that
are faced by students when they work on library-related projects that
also involve technology? Are librarians teaching technology
applications---or are these being done by others outside of the library?
Who made that decision...and is that decision guiding the library
programs as they relate to access to information, user-friendly systems,
software program compatibility?
There are MANY areas that need to be reviewed, I'm afraid. In addition,
I believe that librarians have to change the preconceived ideas that
people have of them...and becoming technology-literate AND active in
those roles within the school and the library may be one step toward
this process.
Now, before anyone gets upset and sends me email to complain that they
are in charge of "everything" in their school and don't have any help to
fix computers, check out books and do storytimes, please realize...I
know you're out there. I also know that there are librarians out there
who meekly hide in their offices and post "out of order" signs on their
computers when they don't have a clue about what is happening and then
wait for a tech person to show up three weeks later to plug in the cord.
Perhaps WE need to take the initiative to make ourselves MORE involved
in technology on our campus AND through presentations to our faculty (as
well as in public forums such as local, state and national technology /
library conventions). In addition we will still advocate for
administrative support in the needs that face our libraries and push for
the assistance that WE need in the library. After all, if technology is
driving the curriculum (and the budget) in our schools....then
librarians need to take the wheel and put this baby back on track!
Just some thoughts.
~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian
Fort Worth, TX
briscos@trinityvalleyschool.org
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Peter Milbury
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2005 8:52 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: [LM_NET] AASL on National Education Technology Plan
Dear LM_NET Colleagues,
On Thu, 20 Jan 2005, Brent Bradley wrote:
>I'm more interested in what people think of the NCES document
>"technology in schools" at
> http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2003313
> While the AASL and the NETP pieces seem to be a lot of propaganda and
>'We're doing great things here', this document seems (to my untrained
>eye, I suppose) something actually useful to districts and individual
>schools.
I think Brent made an astute observation. Bureaucracies always seem to
drift toward inertia, or even worse, self-destruction. They become timid
and afraid of offending their perceived benefactors, and even forget
about who their benefactors are!
We just have to do our best with what we have, and let it be known when
there are deficiencies. There are many ways to band together for mutual
support, and LM_NET is one of them.
Perhaps there is a way that we can let both ISTE and the U.S. Department
of Education know that they are ignoring school libraries in this
important document, the National Education Technology Plan.?
Please, let us all know your thoughts on this topic!
Peter Milbury, LM_NET Co-Moderator pmilbury@iis.syr.edu
School Librarian/CA TeleMentor, Chico HS, Chico, CA
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