Working together towards information literacy November 29, 2006
Posted by Christopher Harris in : Community , add a commentEducational Testing Service (ETS) released preliminary findings this week from the initial administrations of their new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) literacy exam to 6300+ college students and high school seniors. According to their description, this exam was developed to test a student’s skills at:
- Identifying trustworthy and useful information
- Managing overabundant information
- Communicating information effectively (ETS – P. 4)
It might just be that these objectives sound a bit familiar for some reason, but that is a very good thing. We need to be on the same page as technology specialists who are tackling digital information and communication issues. ETS uses slightly oblique language, but the gist of the initial report is that the average score was around 50% (ETS – P. 7), so there is certainly room for us to work together on this!
Some areas for growth identified in the ETS report:
- 12% of students successfully created a presentation slide for a persuasive argument
- 35% of students were able to narrow an overly broad search query
- 40% of students used multiple search terms in a query
- 44% of students were able to craft a research statement for a class assignment
- 49% of students were able to select a website that met the combined requirements of objectivity, authority, and timeliness
This document might also spark some items to include in comments on the draft learning standards for AASL – don’t forget that feedback is due by Friday, December 8th.
Raise Your Right Hand and… November 15, 2006
Posted by dlogan in : SLJSummit2006 , 1 comment so farFacilitator Christopher Harris started the School Library 2.0 group session by having us all raise our right hands and promise to not whine. Our task was to look at where we need to be headed without lamenting the past and present and without dwelling on roadblocks. Panelists David Warlick, Diane Chen, Michael Stephens and Doug Achterman then proceeded to share examples of Web 2.0 technologies along with ideas for integrating them in to library instruction and operations. While one of the main tasks of the group was to define School Library 2.0, Christopher’s opening was one of the things that I think needs to be taken from the Summit.
Two weeks before the SLJ Summit, Joyce Valenza’s presentations at OELMA’s annual conference in Ohio, sparked considerable discussion on our state listserv. Some angst over barriers prompted people to help each other by sharing ideas for getting around the barriers to using Web 2.0 technologies in school libraries. Filters and technology departments were just two of the obstacles that were discussed. The group responded with a variety of resources and ideas.
The focus for School Library 2.0 needs to be opportunities instead of obstacles. Moving school libraries into Web 2.0 has tremendous potential. Over and over SLJ Summit speakers emphasized that content and collaboration are two of the key components of Web 2.0. Content and collaboration are two of the specialties of school libraries. When we look at School Library 2.0 and how we are going to implement aspects of it into our programs, the emphasis needs to be on the opportunities. We need to find, share and use powerful School Library 2.0 examples with our decision makers and stakeholders in order to shape our programs to meet the needs of 21st century students.
Just One Thing November 11, 2006
Posted by pcreighton in : SLJSummit2006 , add a commentAs thoughts and ideas began to gel with us and the School Library Summit, http://extras.schoollibraryjournal.com/summit/, in Chicago drew to a close, Gail Dickinson, http://education.odu.edu/eci/dir/vitae/g_dickinson.shtml, challenged attendees to consider what we would do differently as a result of the collective brainstorming and critical action points generated at the conference.
I was awed as attendees began to suggest ideas such as: share at conferences, tell the school board, tell the state legislature, share with local organizations, speak to staff and school improvement team, share with tech team, share with readers in publications, share on wikis and discussion groups, share on websites, share with SIP teams, share with administrators, conduct research, join leadership teams, share with higher ed programs, share with partnerships, make inroads with other depts. (those that train leaders), get education programs to include a library activity, become an adjunct faculty member, create a presentation to give to teacher ed program and post to a wiki; each state pick one key organization and arrange to present to state universities, post ideas to aasl blog, http://blogs.ala.org , (hey! I am doing that!), identify a significant curriculum standard where there is a point of intervention and work in a leadership capacity and identify learning outcomes and embed some simple strategies for information literacy instruction, collect data and analyze and make some claims about how intervention impacted student achievement and post on school library web site and share in districts and make known what you are doing at local level and get your voice out there, participate in surveys (how about the AASL future vision survey?…. A link is found on the AASL homepage http://www.aasl.org), take each of these items and describe in terms of consequences of failing to act on them and turn into a powerpoint and send to every superintendent in the country, and update online communications frequently so all can see progress.
Gail Dickinson then led us into our “dotting activity” where we all added dots to items on charts that we considered to be the most meaningful, powerful, and challenging critical action points. Dots were counted and the consensus of the group led to the following Top Ten Critical Action Points for our field:
10) building trust and respect
9) equity—leveling the playing field
8)including information literacy in teacher programs
7)partnering in assessment
6)technology literacy
5)playing a leadership role in emerging technology
4) providing stakeholders with models and information
3) developing new models to embrace 21st century learners
2) demonstrating use of data and evidence
1)meshing library added value into learning environments at all levels—student, teacher, parents, local, state, national
I squirmed in my seat a little as I watched and listened. I began to generate my own Top Ten list, which was not very different from the lists above, just slightly more personal. I thought to myself, “I could do this!” And, as you can see, from this post and others I have made this week, I have begun. And now, I challenge you, friends, co-workers, peers, and esteemed readers. I wonder what we could do collectively if we all acted on this thought. Do you know how powerful all of this is? Suppose each one of us did just one thing? Wow!
Thoughts on the School Library Journal Summit in Chicago continued: November 9, 2006
Posted by pcreighton in : Community , add a commentSaturday morning in Chicago was a bit overcast and windy as summit attendees reconvened in the Gold Coast Room of the historic Drake Hotel for a plated breakfast. Joan Frye Williams, http://www.jfwilliams.com/, library futurist and designer of innovative library services, delivered a speech on making sense of the future while attendees feasted on a glorious array of fruit, pastry, eggs, bacon and sausage, coffee and tea.
Williams maintains that innovations trickle up from the market level rather than down. While I glanced around the room of technogeeks with their PDAs, tablet PCs, Blackberrys and other bluetooth devices that were sending data to their wikis and blogs via the hotel wifi, I couldn’t help but smile.
Joan added that in an infodiverse environment, we must start with a student perspective and ask, “Is this my kind of place?” We must also stop whining and start practicing with new toys to be credible to today’s students. We might begin by seeing the library as library as an idea factory a place to try new things such as a book art studio, a media production facility, a new tech showcase and a place to crunch scientific data. We must simplify “wayfinding” and, most importantly, never forget why we are “doing this!”
The remainder of the morning was devoted to breakout sessions discussing the critical action steps identified Friday afternoon. Before lunch, all groups reassembled in the Gold Coast Room. Ross Todd, http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~rtodd/, of Rutgers School of Communication, Information and Center for International Scholarship in School Libraries at Rutgers University, presented reflections on the summit’s work so far. Todd contends that a purpose of the summit is “is contentious debate which is necessary for solutions and actions” and adds that “not taking action means we are taking someone else’s solution which is not necessarily in best interest of students.” He urged us to think outside the box and consider the educational influences beyond the school library media center. Todd asserted that key opportunities for school media specialists today include modeling effective inquiry and investing in teachers.
More to come…
SLJ Summit: E is for- November 7, 2006
Posted by ayucht in : SLJSummit2006 , 1 comment so farFrom Adam Janowski, Library Media Specialist, Naples (FL) High School:
“No sooner did I arrive home, when my principal asked me to create an article for her next parent newsletter. Here is how I digested the conference for “civilians” –
What are we looking for in our school library?
Excellence
-school libraries provide resources for all students to succeed
-school libraries foster rigor in the classroom and in research
-school libraries assist teachers and students in success in standardized state tests
Emerging
-school libraries are leaders in evaluating technologies and their appropriateness for student achievement
Empowering
-school libraries give students and teachers the tools necessary to be successful in classroom assignments
Educating
-school libraries look to national models of excellence that can be replicated at the local level
-school libraries provide a focus for teacher and student training, be it hardware or software
Enabling
-school libraries foster partnering between teachers and librarians to plan successful and relevant lessons
Enjoyment
-school libraries foster life-long interest in learning
-school libraries encourage appreciation of reading”
From the Mountain to the Valley November 5, 2006
Posted by sbrisco in : Community , 4commentsThis weekend, I’ve been to the “mountain top” with some of the greatest thinkers in our school library profession– at the School Library Journal Summit in Chicago. As I review my notes and consider where to begin, now that I’m back “in the valley,” I realize that the best way to make sense of all this is to spread the news. How do we see ourselves in this 21st Century world—but most of all, how do others see us?
When you walk among people like Ross Todd, Joan Frye Williams, Gail Dickinson, Joyce Valenza, Alice Yucht, David Loertscher, and others, you start to see a pattern of enthusiasm, of energy, and of optimism within our profession. One such pattern of optimism came from Joan Frye Williams’ keynote address to us on Saturday morning when she spoke of how to “Make Sense of the Future.” Here are just a few of her comments:
* Look at the future with optimism
There’s so much ahead of us, so many possibilities. We MUST “snag” the opportunities of new ideas, new technologies, new challenges and make them OURS…if we don’t, someone else will. Let’s be optimistic that we can take those things and make them a part of the library programs!
* Is this my kind of place?
We need to be looking for ways to make our libraries work 24/7 for students and other stakeholders — it’s all about reading and books, but it’s MORE than just reading and books. It’s about technology, and service, and understanding what it takes to make our library spaces THEIR library spaces. Libraries need to be user friendly and without walls. As Ross Todd added … “sometimes in order to ‘think outside the box, we have to get OUT of the box!’” Have you seen your box lately? Is it a place where all users want to be?
* Get involved in technology
This year’s Christmas present will need to fit into next year’s curriculum plan! What will it be? Do you have any idea how technology fits into your library program? Get involved in technology as a “consumer!” Check out what’s available, what are the latest trends in software, in open source software, think about how these can be used….”snag” the opportunity to be the first to implement these in your library programs–maybe even in your schools. Learn how to podcast, create a blog, add a wiki for your library, moodle your instructional courses! No one instinctively knows how technology works, being great with technology comes from USING it. “Practice, dude!”
* Your library should be “An Idea Factory!”
Make your library the place where students, teachers, parents, and other stakeholders can try new things. Could it be a book art studio, a media production facility, a new technology showcase center, a place to crunch scientific data…. a place where people can participate in activities?
* Make your library a place for different learning styles.
Look at the physical lay-out of your library. Is it inviting? Are students allowed to work in groups or are you sending them back to the 19th century dungeon where all work was done in isolation? Today’s students work together in groups, so make your library more inviting, more open, and welcoming. Make it a fun place to be.
*Cut out the jargon!
Civilians (those outside of the library world) have no idea what we’re saying. Instead of “Reference Desk” put up a sign that reads, “Homework Insurance: I Can Make Sure You Ace Your Class!” Instead of “Lesson Plans” call them “Cheat Codes.” Think creatively and simplify the wayfinding. Reduce the clutter, speak natural language, create webpages that offer direct information with pre-packaged tips, shortcuts, and FAQS.
* Merchandise the Collection
Have you spent time in a book store lately? Do you want to go back? Wouldn’t you want your students to feel the same way about your library? What elements of the book store will make the library more engaging? Turning the book fronts out to face the public, changing signs to locate and display materials or information, grouping collections into broad topics, being creative…they’re not just visiting for the coffee…it’s the atmosphere!
More reflections from the Summit coming soon….
Libraries working together November 4, 2006
Posted by ayucht in : Hot Topics , add a commentCheck this out: an excellent comparison of the respective roles and community responsibilities of school vs public libraries, from the New Jersey Library Association:
Public and School Libraries Working Together to Provide Complementary Services
With friends like these… November 3, 2006
Posted by Laura Pearle in : Hot Topics , add a commentIt’s time for the second SLJ Leadership Summit, a time to think about the School Library 2.0 concept and what it means for the profession today.
However… over the past few weeks, there have been a spate of posts, comments and news items that call into question the value of libraries and librarians (and here’s a nice rebuttal) . We still struggle with our perceived image – we know we’re not “Marian the Librarian“, but do “they”? Or has that been replaced with these two wonderful librarian Hallowe’en costumes?
How bad is it?
- Oprah, on a program last month, said that there’s no need to use an encyclopedia, everyone can just “Google”. Many LM_NETters took offense at this, and wrote to her to ask that she at least get to know the librarians at the SLJ Summit. No word yet on if she has.
- A public librarian in Wisconsin “loses it” on Craigslist (I Hate You Library Patrons!). This rant (real or otherwise) has excited much comment on the library e-lists.
- American Libraries has a regular column, “Thus Said”.
- NPR’s Prairie Home Companion includes a skit entitled “Ruth Harrison, Reference Librarian“.
- Ms. Dewey
All this, despite the great PR we got from our conference in New Orleans.
So, what can we do? Stay tuned to this blog: use some of the SL2.0 tools and ideas to broaden your reach. Talk to parents, students, administrators, teachers — anyone in the community that will listen — about our relevance to today’s students (point out the new ICT Information Literacy Test!).
In other words, think outside the bun.
