Hi All,
Current research shows that it isn'y just younger teachers who aren't
tech savvy (ghastly term) - all age groups do not know how to use
electrnic media and digital reseources. The term tech savvy has been
thrown around since 1997 and ressurected ever since. TLs (LMSs) are
first and foremost teachers and curriculum designers working with staff
to embed a range of resources and materials into curriculum programs
that embed the teaching of Information literacy skills in context. They
also have a second role to support literacy programs across the school
and to develop programs that encourage the maintenance and further
development of literacy outcomes for students - as distinct from the
teaching of the the mechanics of reading. Literacy is reading, writing,
viewing, listening AND understanding/comprehnsion.
The day-to-day management of the library is the Library technicians's or
Officer's job. The TL is as a manager is responsbile for program
development IIL and literacy) and design, supporting teachers in the
classroom, policy development (incl copyright, IP, plagiarism and safety
using the Internet), budget and selection of resources, PR for the
library and the development of virtual services using a range of media.
A huge job!
I get very concerned when I read people writing words to the effect that
technology can do it all. More than ever before, LIS specialists are
needed to mediate for users, particularly in view of the information
overload that is the Web - remembereing that what is available on the
public domain Web is estimated to be approx 5-8% of what is on the Web,
which is a subset of the Internet. Of course there is Internet2 and 2
years ago Internet3 was being touted. Also some things just do not
appear in anything but print.
In my last school I had an automatic checkout and a library technician
who ran the day-to-day management tasks of the library. I was still run
off my feet ad WebCT andministrator, providing PD for staff on website
development (all course materials were online), developing modules of
online curriculum with staff, promoting literacy and literature programs
and eveloping a virtual library and services, plus my managerial role.
:)
BC
Vice President, Advocacy & Promotion, IASL: http://www.iasl-slo.org/
LIS@ECU: http://www.chs.ecu.edu.au/portals/LIS/index.php
Convenor for the Transforming Information and Learning Conference
http://www.chs.ecu.edu.au/TILC
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." Walter Cronkite
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-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Cheryl Youse
Sent: Tuesday, 10 April 2007 10:58 AM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: [LM_NET] Librarians Obsolete
Like David, I also have worked in four different states and
schools/districts. I have worked with grades K-8 in a variety of
configurations and with fixed, flexible, and partly fixed/flex
schedules. I felt I contributed MOST to the school overall with a
flexible schedule.
But, I feel that the bottom line is the way the administrators feel
about the library/librarian and how they support the program and the
librarian.
My most positive experiences were in the locations where I had a
flexible or partly flexible schedule, but my overloaded K-8 with the
fully fixed schedule (I saw each and every one of the 730 students every
week) was also a program valued by the principal and superintendent.
They illustrated that they believed in the program by dropping in to
visit and participate in lessons (the superintendent's office was in our
building). They also listened to my concerns and gave me time to spend
with teachers to determine their needs and to encourage me to find a way
to meet those needs.
I believe there are a lot of school media specialists who have mandated
flexible schedules and spend time doing things other than their
job--which is first to support the curriculum and the teachers and
promote reading--and make all of us look bad.
I also believe there are a lot of administrators who refuse to allow the
media specialist/librarian a chance to do anything other than be prep
time and who demand a quiet/silent library. School libraries today
should be dynamic places with noise allowed and opportunities for
children to explore not only different types of books but also different
methods of learning.
The school library is a classroom--not ONLY a library.
I disagree with David that the younger teachers have better technology
training. I am finding that many of the younger teachers I work with
are among the least technologically literate--this year I have been
asked to burn CDs for teachers who have not mastered that, how to set up
an email address list, and told that there is no way United Streaming
will be used because it is too complicated--all by younger/very recently
graduated teachers. On several occasions I have wondered if some people
choose teaching because they think technology literacy is not as
important in the field of education. That is a huge concern because we
need to be embedding technology into other subject areas and these
teachers are not going to do that unless they are pushed/required/shown
by example how to do it. That is one area in which we should be taking
the lead.
I don't have answers, but I wanted to point out that the problem is not
just one of shrinking budgets and technology advances. It's tough to
change administrator attitudes--and in our field, as in every field,
there are people who put forth the least amount of effort in order to
just 'get by' in their job. (Not anyone on LM Net of course!) As my
music teacher says, we 'special teachers' are "out there" and what we do
is for all to see and to comment on. I hope we don't all become
obsolete--I can see that it is possible in some locations where I have
worked and in others I know the administrators would fight tooth and
nail to keep their librarian/media specialist. Art, music, and PE are
also all fighting to keep their jobs.
--
Cheryl Youse, MLS
Media Specialist
J. L. Lomax Elementary School
1450 Howell Road
Valdosta, GA 31601
229/333-8523
cyouse@gmail.com
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