A Critical Reflection of ETL401

As a classroom teacher with 24yrs experience it was time for a change. I wanted to continue to work in education, but not necessarily in the classroom environment. The potential to combine a love of literature, interacting with other educators and teaching children directed me to teacher librarianship. This reflection will focus on my increased awareness of the teacher librarian’s (TL) role in light of the readings, discussions and critical feedback received throughout this course.

My perception of a TL has changed greatly. I thought they simply read books to children, had minimal contact with parents, didn’t write school reports, provided teachers with resources to support programs, weren’t necessarily required to attend staff meetings and didn’t have to hand in a program reflecting teaching and learning opportunities. This belief was based on cursory observations and limited professional interactions with TLs at the various schools I have worked in.

Web2.0 tools in the information skills process

Loved this link between the DET's ISP model and ICT - wish I'd used it more effectivey in Assign 2!

http://Irrpublic.cli.det.nsw.edu.au/IrrSecure?Sites?LRRView/10457/10457_00.htm?Signat...

Assignment 1 Blues

Feeling a bit down :(
Not overly thrilled with Assign One results as I thought that I'd done so much research and invested a lot of time, and yes lost a LOT of sleep and definately some potentially good social times. How did I MISS so badly in one of the key areas?
I really appreciated the feedback as it was very succient and in one particular area fairly direct in outlining the weaknesses in my essay. Having to cop it on the chin is a great learning experience. Made me think about the kids at school and how we constantly provide both written and verbal, feedback re bhr, work samples etc and the subsequent effects that they have on their confidence and attitude to learning.

Expert Teachers- and therefore Expert TLs

It's Sunday evening and while all my boys are watching Merlin (may I just say up front - YES! I love Merlin too!) I've decided to use the relative quiet of my dining rm to catch up - or really start- on some much needed reading!
While scrolling thru websites to find info for Assign 2 I located an article called "Teachers Make a Difference - What is the research evidence?" written by New Zealander John Hattie (mental note - lots of educational stuff written by NZrs)
This was a brilliant article contrasting novice, experienced and expert teachers and ultimately giving a description of what constitutes an "expert teacher". Very easy to follow and understand; two attributes essential for me.

Split between BEING a CT and WANTING to be a TL

Ive just finished reading the Todd article " The dynamics of classroom teacher and teacher librarian instructional collaborations" ( Scan Vol27 No2 May 2008) and can't believe I'm actually compelled to BLOG something on a Friday evening  at 9:30pm!!
My understanding from reading the summary of the ILILE program ( trying to be clever - it actually stands for Institute for Library and Information Literacy Education) reasearch in Ohio 2002 -2005 is that the DIFFERENCES between CTs and TLs with regards to the benefit of collaboration for THEMSELVES as Professionals is somewhat different.
Let me just clarify at this stage that I am a CT but want to be a TL so forgive me if I upset anyone!

INquiry Learning

Found a fantastic site QuEST written by Trevor Bond a New Zealander who created the SAUCE IL model.
Locate from http://ictnz.com/Inquiry%20Learning/inquirydefinition.htm

Bond (n.d.) defines inquiry learning as "an apporach that provides learners opportunities to develop skills  that enable them to locate, gather, analyse, critique and apply inofrmation in a wide range of contexts as they develop understanding."

Assignment Blues

Which Models do I choose? What standards should I select? Do I really have anything useful to say in my Blog?