Reading Review Part A - LIBE 477

I believe that the nature of education, schools and teaching is rapidly changing. In the near future, I anticipate that I will be challenged when it comes to successfully and purposefully integrating digital technology into the curriculum due to a lack of time, lack of TL FTE, funding and knowledge/education about such technologies in my job.  I anticipate that the scope of my job as a teacher librarian is going to continue to radically change and I worry that schools may not be able to keep up with these changes. 

The use (or under use) of digital technologies is my main issue – I don’t feel that my school (or myself) is using digital technologies to the best of its ability. Partly this is a funding issue, partly a lack of time issue, but also I think we lack technology leaders in our school district to educate other teachers.  This isn’t to say technology education isn’t happening – just last week at a TL meeting we had a list of great iPad apps circulated – but this is only so helpful.  I am a kinesthetic learner, so unless I am shown and then practice using a digital technology myself, it is somewhat useless. I have been to several Pro D workshops where I have walked in with one main question “how is this going to help me in my job right now?”  I want relevancy! I want meaning!  Sadly, all too often I do not get this. I feel that perhaps we need more technology advocacy at the district level to have schools/TLs/teachers educated as to what they can do with these technologies.

 I think digital technologies could theoretically be used in many areas of the curriculum, but especially literacy (which is rapidly changing in itself).  I have an English degree and thus Language Arts is my strength – I run a library program that quite heavily focuses on books, authors and reading – I do wonder how I could incorporate technology into this - given my schools limited resources?? When I consider that I only see students for 20-30 minutes a week it is quite hard to accomplish relevant goals with technology.  Because our student population is from a quite low social-economic area we have several students that are very low when it comes to 21rst century literacies and general knowledge of computers/tablets/programs/apps, etc.

I think digital technologies have the potential to guide formative assessment, assessment as learning etc.  I really don’t think educational pedagogy should change when looking at digital technologies, as they are after all, a tool to help us meet the need to today’s learner. I would think that a lot of Web 2.0 tools would be useful especially for global learning.  Anything where students can create and share seems to be very invaluable.  I also think film project made through programs like iMovie.  Students love novelty and I think could really benefit from learning a variety of digital technology tools from blogs to wikis to social media. Of course with this must come internet safety and education. 

Some keywords and (which I would like to research more about) I think are important to this issue include:

·         Implementing digital technology – For my situation in particular, I would love to see more funding for technology in our school district to “even out” what certain schools do and do not have as far as the technology itself, as well as the amount of time given for TLs to learn about this technology.  In the Teacher Librarian diploma here at UBC, I have again and again heard about TL as technology leaders in school – I am far from this, and it’s concerning to me.  As an example, at my school I have been assigned to be “in charge of” the 15 iPads our school owns and I honestly am not sure where to begin (yes, I can use an iPad, but personal use if different them using them in a school)– particularly when I barely have enough time to plan my weekly lessons and maintain the library collection.

·          21rst century literacies/learners – as we saw in our “Why Schools” reading and discussion this past week, the definition of what it means to be literate has changed dramatically in recent years. We need to keep up (this I think is hugely tied to Teacher Librarian advocacy which I will discuss below).

·         Digital balance and relevancy – we’ve all heard that we shouldn’t use “technology just for technology’s sake” and I think this is very true.  I feel it’s important for our students to be thinking critically, asking meaningful questions and explore curriculum, look at “big ideas”  - with technology as a tool through which they can do this.  I would also like to explore the idea of digital balance which to me includes using technology meaningful, but also being mindful of the important of limited screen time, physically activity, connecting with people face to face and spending time in nature.  

·          Teacher librarian advocacy – I think this is huge! We have a very string Teacher Librarian association in our school district, and we often speak at school board meetings, organize special Pro D days amongst ourselves, share TL media with our staffs, etc.  I think it’s the responsibility of every TL to educate people about how our jobs have changed and why and what a teacher librarian is and does and how they can play a critical role in the future of education.

·          Mentoring - I would love to see a stronger mentoring program in my district – I have some colleagues who are very knowledgeable when it comes to digital technologies and I wish I were able to learn more from them.