Web 2.0 tools and possible uses

The readings on Web 2.0 have been enlightening as I have come from a school where ICT was almost non-existent and challenging to get it incorporated into the classroom. The use of Web 2.0 is an amazing resource to make learning for children relevant and engaging. Throughout the readings a variety of purposes have leapt out to me that could be used if I become a classroom teacher again. For example:
•    children creating ongoing blogs
•    using wikis to present their learning journey’s on as well as completing group assignments.
•    joining in blogs for classrooms and the library
•    communicating with other schools and joining in group research projects
and many more that involve podcasting

I found the idea of using Delicious to bookmark websites for students uses and teachers very appealing as this would allow teachers and students to be able to share worthwhile sites with all without sending out global email. This does raise the questions of who will maintain the bookmarks such as checking that they are still relevant and active. This would fall to the Teacher Librarian or maybe if lucky the ICT teacher. This would be a worthwhile resource for all though getting it started could be challenging. Maybe others have used this already in their schools.

What is Information Literacy?

This seems to be a question with no correct answer. I have just started reading the first of many readings regarding Information Literacy and what it is and have read some of what people are writing on the forum. It has been said that Information Literacy is varying and different in different schools and contexts. It has been suggested that we should use definition that suit us and the context we are in.

From my first initial readings some things that have stuck with me is that information literacy is lifelong goal (Candy, 1993) for everyone including teachers and adults. Kuhlthau (1995) suggest that it is an umbrella term that has many parts that contribute to holistic development of individual to function in society. ALA also identify it as the ability to access, evaluate and use information from a variety of resources, reconise when information is needed and know how to learn.
It is also suggested that it involves:
*the attainment of skills and techniques
*the mastery of processes
*is a learning tool
*learning a specific and evolving behaviour
*critical thinking behaviour
*empowering learning (Owen, 1996)

Reed Tweed & Bailey's (1994) definition of 'New literacy' was interesting as it seems to relate to electronic information it does not mean that it is collaborative, multicultural and image driven as they suggest.

Abilock's (2002) website offered a detailed and outlined section of the steps in inquiry process of problem solving for information need. They outline the student outcomes, skills and how teachers are to guide this as well as how to tell they are achieving these skills. Perhaps this website appeals to me because there is a solid and explained definition.

Can information literacy have 1 set definition or is it forever evolving as it is suggested by many that have written about this topic? Perhaps further reading will help to clarify my own ideas.

Child's and parent's view on Teacher Librarians

Whilst at work today some of the Year 2 boys offered to help me with my university assignment about roles of the teacher librarian. They listed the following points as what a Teacher Librarian does:

• they read a lot
• help you find a book
• look after the books
• reads to children
• looks after children

In a discussion with a friend (who is a parent),regarding what a Teacher Librarian is. He had the traditional view of what a Teacher Librarian does and that it only involved books. After explaining to him how the role of the TL has changed relating different forms of literacies such as digital and how we need to teach children to critically look at the websites to see how reliable their information is, as well as TL's having to be confident and familiar with new technologies and the resources that are useful to students and teachers he seemed to have a much better understanding of why Teacher Librarians are necessary in every school. He was surprise to find out that we collaborate and plan (ideally) with all of the staff and teachers especially.

These perspectives highlighted to me that the main roles of the Teacher Librarian are often hidden from students as parents and are happening behind the scenes. They are the people behind the teachers on the front line providing them with the informations, resources and guidance that they need. This insight from the students highlights more to me that we need to educate the parents and students (when possible) about what the Teacher Librarian does to help the students and the teachers. I have read this often in the reading but I find that these 2 discussions brought it to the forefront of how to improve the perceptions of Teacher Librarians and why it needs to be done.

Which way should we collaborate with teachers?

After reading alot regarding Teacher Librarians roles in Schools i have a little further clarification about my confusion between ICT teachers and Teacher Librarians. Most people agree on this topic that TL's are to teach information literacy skills to the students. Though there are a few questions relating to this:

• Is there a difference between information literacy and 21st century skills?
• Do we only teach students these skills?
• Do ICT teachers teach critical literacy skills or just introduce new technologies (which is my belief)?

There was debate in my readings relating to the teacher role of TL's. I found it interesting that the TL's role in encouraging and supporting literacy programs was not mentioned much at all. Though the biggest discussion was between whether the TL should collaborate with teacher's to:

• teach according to the curriculum
• teach information skills (and 21st century skills?)
• to teach curriculum with use of technology and infromation skills.

The first 2 are basically the same but the 2nd was discussed as being a negative collaboration due to the number of classes that the TL sees and the skills to be taught. We were also reminded  by Twomey that infromation skills are not separate to the curriculum and are not separate outcomes to cover.

Perhaps the ways that TL's collaborate depend on their school and their needs.

Teacher librarian???

After a conversation with the TL at my current school i am looking at the readings i have been doing relating to their role in a different manner. My school has an ICT teacher as well and this seems to take alot of the ICT aspects of our role though she teaches new technology but not critical 21st century literacy skills.

Where does this lead the role of the TL in my school? She is managing 2 libraries on separate campuses and is also a stage leader. She is taking on the leadership role as is suggested but when talking to her about how things are going she has said that teaching is not happening as most classes get one lesson a week with her now and use this to borrow library books.  The stage leader position has her collaborating with those years though not with any others. This situation has lead me to ask some questions relating to the role of TL such as:

• if the ICT takes over the ICT roles what does this leave the TL? Shouldn't this be an ideal situation?
• Can we really take on a leadership role and balance all of the expectations of the role and the school?
• Does my school really understand what they role of the TL can be and the benefits to our whole school community?

There is a budget for another TL next year (maybe me) and the 2 libraries will be combined into one. It will be interesting to see how this effects the TL and their ability to be a TL to the students. It will be interesting to see if i am able to answer these questions in the coming months.

Exciting times ahead with PBL

I found the PBL readings (Boss & Krauss) very interesting and relevant to me as working in an IB school means that this is the approach that you are aiming for whilst also trying to hit the nail on the head in regards to curriculum and school expectations. I feel that more reading in this area will give me more tools in my toolbox. I have to admit that at times i find PBL hard to do as teaching maths can not always be this way to ensure that students are acquainted with mathematical strategies and other knowledge. There certainly is a place for it but time is my current restraint especially ensuring that curriculum needs are met. This has got me thinking excitedly about possibly returning to a classroom teacher role next year to explore PBL further and develop both my skills and confidence.

The PBL article by Boss & Krauss also got me to thinking that i should have a del.icio.us account to save my bookmarks for university and general life as i will then be able to access them from other computers. This can be put on the list of things to do along with all of the other things.