Blog Post 4:

Vasinda and McLeod (2011) state that the 21^st century is here and that our students already know the technology and teachers need to catch up. Technology in education is a great thing because it can grab students’ attention and keep them motivated to want to learn more. But keep in mind that the technology should not drive the instruction. Vasinda and McLeod (2011) stress the importance of the technology enhancing and making the instruction better. They suggest that teachers start with the best practices backed by research then find the technology that will best enhance it. Standard agrees with this in her article as well (Standard, 2013).

            This is the struggle that librarian will have to face as they try to implement the standards the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE, 2016) set for teachers and librarians. When they look at the five standards not to just focus on the “cool” tech but also the depth and rigor with instruction that these standards call for. No one standard should overshadow the others as they are all equally important. If you only focus on the creativity in standard one (which a lot of teachers do), you leave out the depth and complexity of the learning in standard two, and the digital citizenship in standard four (ISTE, 2016).

            There are also standards set by American Association of Librarians for students that are similar but are much more detailed in the focus on the technology and the instruction with the technology (AASL, 2007). Moreillon (2009) says that only with teams of teachers as well as the whole school together, can teachers and librarians reach the standards of the AASL (2007). This is the critical change for librarians. Collaboration between students and between teacher and librarians, new technology, and changing views on the role of librarians Standard (2013) says, is an exciting but scary thing, due to so little information on these new technologies and how to use them with students. Librarians should implement lessons based on collaboration with teachers and find or use technology that will best fit the students and enhance the lesson. Going beyond surface level knowledge of technology needs to be reached (not just showing how to use the technology and never going back to it). Inquiry and evidence based learning will help make this happen (Morellion, 2009). By using the technology to gain more knowledge and showing proof of knowledge through products or projects takes the students beyond surface level knowledge of technology.

            By being knowledgeable of all the standards set for teachers and students, librarians need to have a plan of action on how to implement them. Jumping in and trying to do everything at once will not be effective for the student or the librarians. By taking small steps, making mistakes, and learning from the mistakes, Standard (2013) says will get you to your goal. Keeping up with the new technology through professional development and discussions with teachers and students will also be important to reaching the standards set by ISTE (2016) and AASL (2007). The school librarian’s role in implementing technology will continue to evolve. Librarians will need to continue to evolve with it.

References

American Association of School Librarians. (2007). Standards for the 21st century learner [Brochure]. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

International Society for Technology in Education Standards. (2016). Standards for teachers. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards/standards-for-teachers

Moreillon, J. (2009). Reading & the library program: An expanded role for the 21st-Century SLMs. Knowledge Quest, 38(2), 24-30

Standard, A. (2013). Trapped on the Ipad crazy train? Five simple steps to regain your sanity. Library Media Connection, 32(3), 40-42.

Vasinda, S., & McLeod, J. (2011). Extending readers theatre: A powerful and purposeful match with podcasting. Reading Teacher, 64(7), 486-497 doi:10.1598/RT.64.7.2