Blog Post 4: Technology Leadership Role of School Librarians

A 21st-century school looks and sounds much different than a school of the past. In a 21st-century school there may still be students working in desks and teachers in the classroom, but the focus and tools may be different. Working and thinking independently are still valued skills, but in today’s schools so are working and collaborating with a team. Since students are surrounded by technology, it is important that schools channel the student interest into productive uses. These skills will help students be productive members of our increasingly socially-connected and technology-driven society (Smaldino, Lowther, & Russell, 2012).

According to Smaldino et al., there are many benefits to using technology in schools. Computer software programs can allow students to experience how something works instead of merely being told. Other types of software can promote creativity by giving students drawing tools with special effects or by allowing students to manipulate digital photos. Technology gives students greater access to content area experts either online or through distance-learning opportunities. Smaldino et al. also discussed other benefits of technology that are very important for 21st-century learners including providing students with opportunities to improve their skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and collaborating along with opportunities to increase their curiosity, use their imagination and develop new ideas.

According to the Standards for the 21st-Century Learner (American Association of School Librarians, 2007), it is important for students to use their curiosity to discover reliable information that will allow them to problem solve and increase their understanding. It is also important for students to be able to use the information that they have found and evaluated to make decisions or draw conclusions. Students also need to be guided through the process of connecting their knowledge to new situations and using their knowledge to develop new understandings. Since a goal of schools is to prepare students to be members of our society, it is important for students to be able to share their knowledge with others and to interact in an ethical manner. Another standard is for students to follow paths that will allow them to continue to better themselves by learning about topics that are of interest to them.

The school librarian plays an important role in developing the 21st-century learners, in part by using technology as a tool. Valenza (2010) discusses the various ways that school librarians must be involved in this process. They should be an expert user and sharer of web tools and searches to ensure access to a wide variety of information sources while maintaining a professional and dynamic web and school presence. Librarians should work to reduce the digital divide for those with limited access or tools by providing resources in a variety of formats for those with need, while being available inside and outside the classroom.They can promote responsible student collaboration and publication across social networks using a variety of cutting edge tools. Librarians should encourage students to create an academic footprint that utilizes proper etiquette, while promoting online citation resources, creative commons licensing and fair use practices. School librarians should also be leaders within their school and community to look for ways to capitalize on student interest in mobile devices by using them within the classroom or library according to guidelines and norms that they have helped shape and develop.

School librarians should be leaders within the school to show teachers and students new tools and technologies so that they can continue to develop skills that will be needed in the 21st-century society. When technology is utilized well, students have greater opportunities to think critically about material and develop deeper understandings. School librarians can also help students to use technology not only for academics, but also to find and fuel their passions.

References:

American Association of School Librarians. (2007). Standards for the 21st-century learner. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/aasl/standards-guidelines/learning-standards.

Smaldino, S. E., Lowther, D. L., & Russell, J. D. (2012). Instructional technology and media for learning (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Valenza, J. (2010, December 3). A revised manifesto. Retrieved from http://blogs.slj.com/neverendingsearch/2010/12/03/a-revised-manifesto/

Blog Post 3: Technology Implementation Strategies

            Technology can be used to help students master common core standards. The question then becomes, what are the best ways to integrate technology in order to maximize student learning. According to Holzweiss (2014), it is important for librarians to provide students with opportunities to use technology in a variety of ways that will allow students to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills. The ultimate goal is for students to be able to apply the critical thinking and problem solving skills to different situations throughout their lives and as part of future careers no matter the technology that is being used.  

            Holzweiss also emphasizes the importance of using a variety of assessment forms that meet the standards. Librarians can act as facilitators to provide students with learning and assessment opportunities that are rich with information as part of a dynamic learning environment. Authentic assessments work well with project-based learning opportunities that work well with the integration of technology.

            According to Holzweiss, finding the right technologies that can seamlessly integrated is an important aspect of planning. Some teachers will not be confident about working with technology and this is where collaboration becomes even more valuable. Librarians can help teachers determine which technology tools will work best to meet various standards or objectives. Librarians can also co-teach lessons involving the technology to help the lessons run more smoothly. Co-teaching also allows teachers to become familiar with student use of the technology in a safer environment that will hopefully encourage further use of the tools. Librarians can also work with teachers to create extension activities that allow students to apply technology that they have learned.

            One strategy that Holtzweiss mentioned is to find innovative ways to use web tools that you are already using. I have used interactive whiteboards in the past, but this year I will be looking for more innovative ways to use them. The priority will be to use the interactive whiteboards for student-led strategies. I would like to find some games that can be used to help students master material while also increasing motivation.

            Another strategy that I will implement from the Holzweiss article is using technology to assess student learning. With Educreations, students will be able to explain how they are solving problems. Educreations can easily be used in a math classroom because students do not need to master any equation editor software. Having students submit solutions to problems that includes their thought process is a great tool to assess how much the students understand about the methods being used.

References:

HOLZWEISS, K. (2014). Using tech tools for learning with standards. School Library Monthly, 30(4), 13-17.