Towards an Understanding of Professional Dispositions of Exemplary School Librarians

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine student perceptions of flipped learning lessons designed to teach information literacy skills. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-method design was implemented using a paper-based survey and an online focus group. The survey asked questions about the participants’ perceptions of the flipped lessons. The focus group was used to clarify the participants’ responses to the survey questions. Findings A majority of the students enjoyed completing the lessons. Responses also indicated that a majority of the students felt that the lessons helped them prepare for class. However, issues with computers and internet connectivity at home resulted in some of the students completing the lessons before or after school. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to a class of 21 students enrolled in a public school in North Texas. Originality/value There is limited research supporting the value of flipped learning in relation to the technology implementation role of school librarians. This study provides insights into how school librarians can develop flipped learning lessons in collaboration with classroom teachers to improve the information literacy skills of students.

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Teacher Professional Dispositions: Much Assemblage Required

Teachers College Record ◽

10.1177/016146811912101104 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 121 (11) ◽

pp. 1-28

Author(s):

Kathryn Strom ◽

Jason Margolis ◽

Nihat Polat

Keyword(s):

Teacher Preparation ◽

Teaching And Learning ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Teacher Preparation Programs ◽

Teacher Dispositions ◽

Complex Nature ◽

Preparation Programs ◽

Professional Dispositions ◽

State Education ◽

Nature Of Teaching

Background/Context Despite noted difficulties with defining and assessing teacher dispositions, U.S. state education departments and national accreditation agencies have included dispositions in mandates and standards both for determining teacher quality and for assessing the quality of the teacher preparation programs that certify them. Thus, there remains a significant impetus to specify dispositions to assess, identify what “good” dispositions look like in practice, and determine the best way to measure them. Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we aim to problematize the construct of “teacher dispositions” through a critical synthesis of literature and a discussion of a rhizomatic perspective to generate a (re)conceptualization that is more closely aligned with the immensely complex nature of teaching and learning. Second, we draw on samples of university-generated teacher disposition assessment tools to provide concrete examples that “put to work” this complex perspective on dispositions. Research Design To apply ideas introduced in our rhizomatic framework focused on multiple, dynamic assemblages, we conducted a qualitative textual analysis of a sample of 16 widely available assessment tools used by university-based teacher preparation programs to measure teachers’ professional dispositions. Findings and Conclusions Overall, the vast majority of disposition criteria included in the tools reviewed were temporal and relational, seeking to assess the interactions of the teacher candidate amidst a variety of potential circumstances as well as material and discursive factors. This reveals a paradox, however, since, despite their more contextual phrasing, these criteria ultimately seek to assess an individual and are high-stakes only for that teacher. Yet, we suggest that the results of this review may be an indication that the field is moving toward a more multifaceted vision of teaching that can better take into account the dynamic, situated, and relational nature of teaching activity. We also suggest the language accounting for some of the complexity of teaching in the disposition assessment tools we reviewed may be an entry point into a more dynamic, vital materialist vision of the profession.

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Library Administration —Qualification and Salary of High School Librarians

Journal of Education ◽

10.1177/002205741608400424 ◽

1916 ◽

Vol 84 (4) ◽

pp. 96-97

Author(s):

Mary Sullivan

Keyword(s):

High School ◽

School Librarians ◽

Library Administration

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Evidence or Evidence Based Practice? An Analysis of IASL Research Forum Papers, 1998-2009

Evidence Based Library and Information Practice ◽

10.18438/b8w04b ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 4

Author(s):

Marcia A. Mardis

Keyword(s):

Evidence Based Practice ◽

International Association ◽

School Library ◽

Academic Research ◽

Research Articles ◽

Evidence Based ◽

School Librarians ◽

Research Reporting ◽

Library Research ◽

Or Practice

Objective - Conferences are essential opportunities for professional development and for learning about research. This study analyses papers presented in the Research Forum track of the International Association of School Librarians (IASL) conferences to determine whether the amount of school library research reporting increased or decreased over time; who (i.e., what author roles and affiliations) has written about research; which countries were represented in the research articles; what topics were discussed in research articles; and what research methodologies were used. The aim was to determine the extent to which the Research Forum provides research evidence that relates to practice. Methods - This study continues the longitudinal analysis of published school library research begun by Clyde (1996) by analyzing Research Forum papers published in IASL conference proceedings from 1998-2009 and using the same approaches and metrics as previous studies by Clyde (e.g., 1996; 2002; 2004), Clyde and Oberg (2004), and Oberg (2006). Results - Conference paper topics, author origins, quantities, and research approaches remained static through the 11 years analyzed. The analysis reveals that the papers’ authors, methods, and topics reflected those found in previous studies of school library research. As well as replicating previous studies, the role of academic research at a practitioner-based conference was investigated. Conclusions - Based on long-established imperatives from leaders in the profession, the IASL conferences provide both evidence and evidence -based practice for school librarians from all over the world. However, when scholarly research is shared at practitioner venues, it is possible that school librarians may assume that research results constitute evidence -based practice (EBP), not evidence upon which practice should be based. This distinction is important if considering that the purpose of academic research is to objectively inform, not to advocate a particular position or practice. The Research Forum can be a valuable venue for the presentation of empirical research findings and conclusions and objective program evaluations and provide a valuable complement to the evidence -based practice descriptions shared in the Professional Papers portion of the conference program. It is argued that the Research Forum must be clear in its purpose: to present the results of research; to present effective practice determined by rigorous evaluation; or to present research-supported arguments for the support of school libraries. Through a reconceptualization of EBP, the paper demonstrates how EBP is both a method and a methodology for the presentation of school library research and practice in a conference atmosphere.

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The (in)securitization practices of the three universes of EU border control: Military/Navy – border guards/police – database analysts

Security Dialogue ◽

10.1177/0967010614530459 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 45 (3) ◽

pp. 209-225 ◽

Cited By ~ 150

Author(s):

Didier Bigo

Keyword(s):

European Union ◽

Use Of Force ◽

Border Control ◽

The European Union ◽

Professional Dispositions ◽

Work Routines ◽

Local Contexts ◽

Control Technologies ◽

Practical Sense ◽

The Eu

What practices of (in)securitization involve the notions of border and border control in the European Union? How do these practices operate? How are they assembled? In the resulting assemblage, is the notion of borders – understood as state borders – still relevant for the control of individuals and populations moving across the frontiers of the EU? Drawing on empirical observations and with a specific focus on how border control is translated into different social universes, this article seeks to show that practices of control are routinely embedded in a practical sense that informs what controlling borders does and means. This practical sense is itself informed by different professional habitus and work routines involving deterrence and the use of force, interrogation and detention, surveillance of populations on the move and the profiling of (un)trusted travellers. Its strength varies in relation to its shared dimension by most of the operators, and is adjusted to the materiality of borders as well as to the local contexts in which it is deployed. It activates, or does not activate, the maximal use of various control technologies (satellites, pre-registration and interoperable exchange of data between the state and private bureaucracies, biometrics identifiers, body-scanners). For understanding practices of (in)securitization, actual work routines and the specific professional ‘dispositions’ are therefore more important than any discourses actors may use to justify their activities.

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Mentoring pre-service educators in the development of professional disposition

International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education ◽

10.1108/ijmce-03-2017-0022 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 196-209 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Heather D. Kindall ◽

Tracey Crowe ◽

Angela Elsass

Keyword(s):

Professional Growth ◽

Teaching Profession ◽

Teacher Preparation Program ◽

Clinical Experiences ◽

Content Type ◽

Self Reflection ◽

Constructive Feedback ◽

Professional Dispositions ◽

Internship Experience ◽

Clinical Internship

Purpose Professional dispositions must be cultivated through focused self-reflection and targeted, authentic, internship experiences prior to entering the teaching profession. Continued development through mentoring during the clinical internship can enhance the effectiveness of pre-service teacher candidates as instructional leaders. The purpose of this paper is to explore the unique experiences found to be successful in mentoring pre-service teachers from student to professional during an authentic, yearlong internship experience. Design/methodology/approach Intern participants in this pilot study completed an inventory that measured professional dispositions five times during an internship experience. Data were analyzed using a mixed methods study design. Findings Results of the study determined that intern participants held unrealistic views of teaching and did not recognize the importance of dispositional development prior to focused mentoring throughout the year of clinical internship. One central finding in this study is that change and growth about perceptions of professional dispositions can be developed through focused mentoring. Originality/value Mentoring within the teacher preparation program can help in the transition of understanding professional growth and development, attitudes, and the view of complex behaviors. The dispositions necessary for effective teaching can be honed through cultural and clinical experiences, continual self-reflection, constructive feedback on evaluations of teaching, and targeted mentoring before beginning the clinical student internship and throughout the experience.

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The Transformational Leadership Practices of National Board Certified School Librarians in North Carolina

10.31229/osf.io/mbwyf ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kimberly Hirsh

Keyword(s):

North Carolina ◽

Transformational Leadership ◽

Leadership Practices ◽

Shared Vision ◽

Successful Implementation ◽

School Librarians ◽

National Board ◽

Teaching Standards ◽

Professional Leadership ◽

High Level

This study describes a questionnaire survey of school librarians in North Carolina who have received advanced certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. The survey was conducted to identify the transformational leadership practices of these school librarians and assess their ability to implement professional leadership guidelines. School librarians’ leadership practices were assessed using the Leadership Practices Inventory, 3rd Edition (LPI). School librarians perceived themselves as possessing a high level of transformational leadership in the five exemplary practices identified by the LPI: Modeling the Way (MTW), Inspiring a Shared Vision (ISV), Challenging the Process (CTP), Enabling Others to Act (EOA) and Encouraging the Heart (ETH). They perceived themselves as being very strong at MTW and EOA. They were less successful at ISV and CTP. Overall, they were very successful in implementing professional leadership guidelines. Successful implementation of these guidelines was highly correlated with ISV and CTP.

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Schooling at the Library in Italy for the Social Inclusion: The “Biblioscuole” Project

IASL Annual Conference Proceedings ◽

10.29173/iasl7921 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Luisa Marquardt

Keyword(s):

Social Inclusion ◽

School Library ◽

Pilot Project ◽

Easy Access ◽

Library Services ◽

Access To Information ◽

School Librarians ◽

Training Course ◽

The Social ◽

And Training

“Biblioteche nelle Scuole” (in brief, “Biblioscuole”, i.e. Libraries at Schools), a three year school library pilot project, has been carrying out since 2004 in Italy to improve school librarians competencies and school library services in order to provide an easy access to information for teachers, pupils and their families, and to promote social inclusion. The Project and some reflections - based on learners’ interaction - about the first part of the education and training course, are presented here.

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Building a Vibrant Future for School Librarians through Online Conversations for Professional Development

IASL Annual Conference Proceedings ◽

10.29173/iasl7823 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Judy O'Connell

Keyword(s):

Professional Development ◽

Social Media ◽

School Library ◽

School Librarians ◽

Leadership Challenges ◽

Personal Learning ◽

The World ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

Teacher Librarians ◽

Media Channels

Technology and social media platforms are driving an unprecedented reorganization of the learning environment in and beyond schools around the world. Technology provides us leadership challenges, and at the same time offers opportunities for communication and learning through technology channels to support professional development. School librarians and teacher librarians are often working as the sole information practitioner in their school, and need to stay in touch with others beyond their own school to develop their personal professional capacity to lead within their school. The Australian Teacher Librarian Network aims to make a difference, and supports school library staff in Australia and around the world to build professional networks and personal learning connections, offering an open and free exchange of ideas, strategies and resources to build collegiality. This ongoing professional conversation through online and social media channels is an important way to connect, communicate and collaborate in building a vibrant future for school librarians.

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