Building a Vibrant Future for School Librarians through Online Conversations for Professional Development

School of Information Studies Faculty of Education

Building a Vibrant Future for School Librarians through Online Conversations for Professional Development.

Judy O’Connell • Courses Director • School of Information Studies

International Association of School Librarianship ConferenceSanur – Bali August 26-30 2013


Piecing the puzzle together


WORLD VIEW


Evolving Learning Landscape

The changing needs of learning means that students will be identified as successful when they have advanced skills and capabilities for critical thinking, collaboration, problem solving, as well as the traditional literacies.


“The current learning landscape is constantly changing in terms of what is learned, the context in which learning takes place, and who is learning.”(Paas, 2011, p. 2)

The following aspects impact on the learner or his/her learning:oEvolving needs of learnersoDeveloping knowledge building environmentsoFocusing on personalisationoEvolving spaces for learningoEvolving learning devices or hardwareoEvolving pedagogy

Paas, F Van Merrienboer, J and Van Gog, T 2011, ‘Designing instruction for the contemporary learning landscape’, in K R Harris, S Graham & T Urdan (eds.), APA Educational Psychology Handbook: Vol. 3. Application to Learning and Teaching, Washington: American Psychological Association, pp. 335-357, http://ro.uow.edu.au/edupapers/374/



Current thinking about 21st century skills, and the learning experiences that support their development, are essential starting points for capacity building. A list of the workforce skills presented by Davies, et al (2011, pp. 8-12) include:

Davies, A. Fidler, D. & Gorbis, M. 2011. Future work skills 2020, Institute for the Future for the University of Phoenix Research Institute, California.

• Sense-making• Social intelligence• Novel and adaptive thinking• Cross-cultural competency• Computational thinking

• New-media literacy• Transdisciplinarity• Design mindset • Cognitive load management• Virtual collaboration



Sustainable learning involves a pedagogic fusion between environments, tools, formats and meta-literacy capabilities (Mackey & Jacobson 2011).

Education and learning as a fusion between knowledge, skills and aptitudes.

Every aspect of learning is affected – even social media is part of learning and social practice, involving all of the general capabilities of the Australian Curriculum!

Mackey, T P and Jacobson, T E 2011, ‘Reframing information literacy as a metaliteracy’, College & Research Libraries, vol. 72, no. 1, pp. 62–78.



Establish lifelong and life-wide learning as the central paradigm for the future. (Redecker et al, 2011, p.10).

Redecker C, Leis M, Leendertse M, Punie Y, Gijsbers G, Kirschner P, Stoyanov S & Hoogerveld B 2011, The future of learning: preparing for change, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies, JRC European Commission.


Learning and school libraries

The reality is that school librarians can be the best person to have in a school - but only if they have actually learned to fill that role well, and have understood and assimilated the principles, tools and practices of a 21st century teacher librarian.


Learning and school libraries

Technology provides us with leadership challenges and at the same time offers opportunities for communication and learning through technology channels to support our own professional development.


Context of School Librarianshipliterature, literacy and literacy eventsinformation literacy and trans-literacyteaching and collaboration with teacherscollaboration with faculty, subject and

year level teamsprovision of exemplary services in

physical and virtual spaces community involvement and literature

events events managementcontent management systems

ICT integration and leadership digital citizenship initiativesstudent support and tutor groups library and information services

management curriculum integrationprofessional development servicesresponsibility for mobile devices such as

iPadscopyright informationprofessional development programsmultimedia and audio visual services

School of Information Studies Faculty of Educationcc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo by mrsdkrebs: http://flickr.com/photos/mrsdkrebs/6400358699/


Best practices in School Librarianship

School librarians provide the required intellectual agency for developing deep knowledge and understanding through multi-modal investigation and experimentation with information.

They examine this information through multiple perspectives in a learning environment where students are guided and given appropriate instruction to effectively utilize the best technology tools to support student achievement (Hay & Todd 2010).

Hay, L & Todd, R 2010, School libraries 21C, School Libraries and Information Literacy Unit, Curriculum K–12 Directorate, NSW Department of Education and Training.


Our horizons

Our Information Age began, for all intents and purposes, in April of 1993 when the Mosaic 1.0 browser made the World Wide Web available—for free—not just for use but for contribution and participation by anyone with access to the Internet.

Its open architecture, and its lack of a “director” or “owner”made the potential for worldwide co-creation of knowledge, art, science, literature, animation, and all the rest possible.

More content, streams of data,

topic structures, (theoretically)

better quality – all of these into

online environments require an

equivalent shift in our online

capabilities.

The Internet has become a participatory medium, giving rise to an environment that is constantly being changed and reshaped by the

participation itself, changing the flow of news, effecting tacit as well as explicit knowledge, and embedding a new culture of learning.

A New Culture of Learning ~ Cultivating the Imagination for a World of Constant Change:Douglas Thomas and John Seely Brown

cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by jasonstaten: http://flickr.com/photos/jasonstaten/3037250330/

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The evidence is that technologies and social media platforms are driving an unprecedented reorganization of the learning environment in and beyond schools.

cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo by Ward.: http://flickr.com/photos/wards/521247814/

Our students need to know how to juxtapose text, sound, media and social connections in real time.

20cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo by ianus: h?p://flickr.com/photos/ianus/696177/

Understand and negotiate the knowledge world.

http://flickr.com/photos/ianus/696177/

http://flickr.com/photos/ianus/696177/

They need to know how to find, filter, then mix and match what they see, hear and experience

cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo by Giuseppe Bognanni: h?p://flickr.com/photos/79286287@N00/215951891/

cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo by Giuseppe Bognanni: h?p://flickr.com/photos/79286287@N00/215951891/

http://flickr.com/photos/79286287@N00/215951891/




Learning today requires that teachers and school librarians understand reading and information seeking in a connected world....

cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo by Always Bë Cool: h?p://flickr.com/photos/alwaysbecool/4828439402/

http://flickr.com/photos/alwaysbecool/4828439402/

http://flickr.com/photos/alwaysbecool/4828439402/

We are challenged in meeting the needs of students

who have grown up in the digital era, and meeting the

expectations of teachers and parents who haven’t.


Best practice and future directions

These disruptive shifts are already reshaping the workforce landscape and the skills required (Davies et al, 2011), establishing lifelong and life-wide learning as the central paradigm for the future (Redecker et al, p.10).

Davies, A., Fidler, D., & Gorbis. M. (2011). Future work skills 2020. Institute for the Future for the University of Phoenix Research Institute: California

Redecker C, Leis M., Leendertse M., Punie Y., Gijsbers G., Kirschner P., Stoyanov S. and Hoogerveld B. (2011). The future of learning: preparing for change, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies, JRC European Commission.


School libraries and school librarians can lead learning in today’s interactive knowledge environments.

cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo by Beverly: http://flickr.com/photos/walkadog/3897126692/

http://flickr.com/photos/walkadog/3897126692/

http://flickr.com/photos/walkadog/3897126692/


“K-12 must address the increased blending of formal and informal learning.”

“Students can take advantage of learning material online, through games and programs they may have on systems at home, and through their extensive — and constantly available — social networks” http://www.nmc.org

Get the Ap

p!Horizon Report 2012

http://www.nmc.org

http://www.nmc.org


“There are two related but distinct categories of influence: cloud computing and mobile learning.”

“Cloud computing has transformed the way we are using the Internet to manage information. Mobile learning provides gateways to endless learning, collaboration and productivity”

Horizon Report 2013

http://www.nmc.org

http://www.nmc.org

http://www.nmc.org


“Provide the divergence and convergence in media needed to foster motivation, differentiation, collaboration and connections necessary for 21st century learning.”

Change has arrived at an iSchool library near you. Judy O’Connell

Our Horizons

cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by will_i_be: http://flickr.com/photos/guillaumeseguin/5294641318/

It is this digital environment that seems to have become a key driving force affecting the context of curriculum engagement and driving changes in the the information ecology within which school library services are positioned.

http://flickr.com/photos/guillaumeseguin/5294641318/


cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by will_i_be: http://flickr.com/photos/guillaumeseguin/5294641318/

Staff in school libraries need ways to keep ‘up-to-date’ • and then ways to continually extend personal professional capacities.




cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo by Jeremy Keith: http://flickr.com/photos/adactio/6153558098/

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http://flickr.com/photos/adactio/6153558098/


Online conversations

social media

cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by Dean_Groom: http://flickr.com/photos/23968709@N03/6915344099/



cc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo by Langwitches: http://flickr.com/photos/langwitches/5604121808/

http://flickr.com/photos/langwitches/5604121808/

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It’s time to have a shared vision around digital tools

cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo by Adelle & Justin: http://flickr.com/photos/h_is_for_home/3494382794/

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http://flickr.com/photos/h_is_for_home/3494382794/

Colouring in the pieces

Top 100 tools for learninghttp://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/

http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/

http://c4lpt.co.uk/top100tools/

Spartan Guides

http://sdst.libguides.com/index.php



Best Apps for Academics

http://smallwow.com/apps



Look who’s talking on Twitter, Diigo and LinkedIn

http://www.livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=288178




School libraries need to respond proactively to the 21st century information ecology.


Let’s discuss your story!

cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo by Procsilas Moscas: http://flickr.com/photos/procsilas/47651477/

http://flickr.com/photos/procsilas/47651477/




Personal learning environment – relying on

the people we connect with through social

networks and collaborative tools e.g. Twitter,

Yammer.

Personal learning network – knowing

where or to whom to connect and find

professional content.





Personal web tools – used for tracking

our life and powering our information

organisation e.g. photos to Facebook,

pictures to Flickr, photos to Twitter.





Professional Web Tools – utilising

access between sources and devices to

filter and disseminate resources, news,

and knowledge prompts. (e.g. Edmodo,

Evernote, Diigo, Pinterest) and adopting e-

devices and e-connectivity (e.g. ebooks,

QRcodes).




In 2006 Helene Blowers and the team at the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenberg County launched the first 23 things program that took the library world by storm. This self- paced course offered library workers the chance to build their professional knowledge and skills at their own pace using a fun professional development online tool.

This program has been replicated around the world as a vibrant way to engage in exploration and learning in non-formal settings.


Welcome to the original Learning 2.0 Program. This site was created to support PLCMC's Learning 2.0 Program; a discovery learning program designed to encourage staff to explore new technologies and reward them for doing 23 Things. Since the program's launched, it has fostered Learning 2.0 programs all over the world. If you are interested in duplicating or modifying this program for your organization, please see Program Notes on About Page and contact Helene Blowers for information.

http://plcmclearning.blogspot.co.uk/

http://plcmclearning.blogspot.co.uk/www.plcmc.org

http://plcmclearning.blogspot.co.uk/www.plcmc.org

http://plcmcl2-things.blogspot.com/

http://plcmcl2-things.blogspot.com/

http://plcmcl2-about.blogspot.com/

http://plcmcl2-about.blogspot.com/

http://plcmclearning.blogspot.co.uk

http://plcmclearning.blogspot.co.uk


In Australia The State Library of Victoria provides the Personal Learning Network (PLN) program, which is a self-paced online program for school library staff, educators, learning support personnel and curriculum leaders. The program is designed for those new to the world of web-based learning, as well as people keen to enhance their existing online skills and experience. http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pln

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pln

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pln


• creating communities online• shifting school cultures• changing practice in the digital world• the future of learning.

Personal Learning Network =


In 2013 The State Library of NSW launched the English version of 23 Mobile Things , http://23mobilethings.net which was developed for the library team at Guldborgsund-bibliotekerene in Danish http://23mobileting.org/. This program explores apps and social networking tools for both Android and iOS mobile platforms, and is another example of online professional opportunities for school librarians.

http://23mobilethings.net




http://23mobileting.org





OZTL_NET •Building online conversations

In Australia we face many challenges in our school libraries, and amongst these the latest one has been to respond to new media environments.


The Australian Teacher Librarian Network aims to make a difference, and supports school library staff in Australia and around the world to build professional networks and personal learning connections, offering an open and free exchange of ideas, strategies and resources to build collegiality.


This ongoing professional conversation through online and social media channels is an important way to connect, communicate and collaborate in building a vibrant future for school librarians.

http://oztlnet.com/

The OZTL_NET Discussion List is an email-based forum for information professionals working in Australian schools. It is supported by the teacher librarianship academic staff at the School of Information Studies , Charles Sturt University.

Discussion is open to all members of the Australian teacher librarian community and any people with a genuine interest in teacher librarianship and/or school libraries.

But wait.....there’s more....

http://oztlnet.com

http://oztlnet.com

http://oztlnet.com/

http://oztlnet.com

http://oztlnet.com


https://groups.diigo.com/group/oztl_net





http://www.flickr.com/groups/oztl_net/





The Digital Citizenship in Schools Facebook page originally established by Judy O’Connell, is now updated and managed by a group of Australian teacher librarians who are committed to this endeavour purely through professional interest and a desire to maintain a vibrant online information and conversations around this vital topic, and have no formal institutional affiliations. What brought them together WAS the collaborative environment of Facebook.


https://www.facebook.com/DigitalCitizenshipInSchools




This facebook site is connected to the Digital Citizenship Diigo group which provides a wonderful way to curate links related to this topic. With 230 members this group has a huge potential to grow, thereby contributing to the global conversations related to digital citizenship, and to support school libraries at whatever stage of development they may be at.

https://groups.diigo.com/group/digital-citizenship-in-schools




Empower information professionals to make the most of their roles, highlight the

value of their e-literacy skills and knowledge to the entire school community.

and beyond...


https://www.facebook.com/SISCSU

Recently Launched:



Recently Launched:

https://twitter.com/SISCSU




Master of Education (Knowledge Networks and Digital Innovation)Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship)

Master of Information Studies

http://www.csu.edu.au/go/infostudies



Y/Our connections are everything!

cc licensed ( BY NC SA ) flickr photo by Dimitris Papazimouris: h?p://flickr.com/photos/papazimouris/346630496/

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http://flickr.com/photos/papazimouris/346630496/


heyjudeonline

Judy O’Connell

http://judyoconnell.com

Judy O’Connell

http://heyjude.wordpress.com

http://heyjude.wordpress.com