scholarly journals Professional Development via Facebook Group: Perception of School Librarians

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zakir Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
School Library ◽  
Study Data ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Teaching Resources ◽  
Development Tool ◽  
Complex Process ◽  
School Librarianship

Facebook offers the ability to its users to create a group on a specific subject or interest and ask friends and acquaintances to join and share information which is entirely driven by them. This study seeks to explore whether and how Facebook group adds value to the complex process of school librarians’ professional development. The successive objectives are to understand the current and future professional learning trends in school librarianship through Facebook group posts. An online questionnaire was posted to selected Facebook groups and sent to two school librarians’ listservs, and 404 usable responses were received. Study findings indicate that with the Facebook group, School Library Professionals (SLPs) are able to stay informed with new knowledge in their field by exchanging information, opportunities and ideas. The findings also confirm that more and more SLPs are using, or at the very least, experiencing Facebook groups as a Professional Development Tool (PDT). Study data shows that 78.4 percent of SLPs desire to see posts related to ‘teaching resources’ and 63.8 percent ‘how to use technology’ on the Facebook group and are also indicative of the current professional learning trends of SLPs. Research skills tips (67.9%), makerspace ideas (57%) and how to collaborate with classroom teachers (51.6%) are found to be the top future professional learning aspirations of SLPs. This paper provides valid empirical evidence and highlights that many SLPs are using Facebook groups and 38.4 percent regarded it as a ‘very useful tool’ for professional development. The discussions that take place on Facebook groups empower and enhance librarians’ professional practice and networking.

scholarly journals School Library Research Rocks

2021 ◽  
pp. 22-41
Author(s):  
Gooneshwaree Beesoon ◽  
Jennifer L. Branch-Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
School Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
Library Media ◽  
Library Research ◽  
Instructional Role ◽  
School Librarianship ◽  
Development Analysis

This research examined the state-of-the-art of research in school librarianship. Similar trends from previous research were confirmed: research in school librarianship is published in two major journals -- School Library (Media) Research and School Libraries Worldwide. Almost 80% of the research was carried out in the United States. There is a small core group of researchers working in the area of school librarianship. About half of all research is by a single author. The main themes from the research included collaboration between teachers and school librarian, technology integration, the instructional role of school librarians, professional development, analysis of materials, information literacy instruction, practices and assessment, hiring, professional development and retention of school librarians, use of multimedia resources, role of school librarians in the provision of health information, motivation of students, and research in other parts of the world. Frameworks (Aharony, 2011; Koufogiannakis, Slater & Crumley, 2005; Mardis, 2011) were incomplete and the authors present a new framework for categorizing school library research, in particular, but also LIS research, in general.

scholarly journals Education for Teacher-Librarianship: Anywhere, Any Time

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Schultz-Jones ◽  
Jennifer Branch-Mueller ◽  
Karen Gavigan ◽  
Ross Todd
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
School Library ◽  
National Standards ◽  
School Librarian ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
Library Education ◽  
The World ◽  
School Librarianship

Best practices in education for teacher-librarianship increase opportunities for diversity in candidates, in modes of learning, and in location and time of learning. This session was sponsored by the School Library Education SIG. The panel presentation considered education for school librarianship in light of the IFLA School Library Guidelines, 2nd edition (2015) and current research on best practices. Innovative programs for educating school librarians from around the world were shared to illustrate the diverse ways to prepare school librarians for the roles identified in the Guidelines and in national standards. Presenters described ways for delivering school librarian credentialed programs and for providing professional development opportunities for in-service school librarians.

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

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.

scholarly journals Confident but Lacking Support: School Librarians and Students with Autism

2021 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia Anderson ◽  
Selena Layden
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
School District ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
School Library ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Library Services ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
Training School ◽  
Students With Autism

School librarians work with students across their organizations, including those with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, little is known about how prepared school librarians are to serve these students. Using a mixed-methods survey, this study sought to explore training school librarians have taken about ASD and students with disabilities, as well as the effects of training on librarian confidence and library services. Based on results, librarians who received training through their school district or professional development outside of coursework reported being more confident in supporting students with ASD in the school library.

scholarly journals The Role of Culture and Folk Art in School Library Programming

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Santos Green ◽  
Melissa P Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Research Study ◽  
School Library ◽  
Ways Of Knowing ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
The World ◽  
Library Programming ◽  
School Librarianship ◽  
Teacher Librarians

Exploring the practices of teacher librarians in other countries fosters new knowledge, contributing to global communities of practice. The need to equip today’s youth with complex 21st century skills has served as a catalyst for change in the traditional practices of school librarians all over the world. It is this necessary change that led to questions regarding school library practices at an international level and to the need to explore school librarianship on a global level. This research study explores ways program design grounded in cultural understanding, experiences, and ways of knowing the world, are applied by practicing school librarians in Brazil, Russia, and Belize.

scholarly journals Librarians’ Use of Social Media for Professional Development in Nigeria

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 136-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uloma Doris Onuoha
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Online Social Networks ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Discussion Forums ◽  
Online Forum ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Learning Development

This paper examined the use of social media for professional development by librarians in Nigeria. The study was carried out using the survey research method. The study population was made up of 1294 registered members of Nigerian Library Association Online Forum. Random sampling technique was used in selecting 297 respondents for the study. Data was collected by means of questionnaire. Findings from the study revealed that online discussion forums such as NLA online forum, online social networks such as Facebook and Wikis were mostly used for professional development, while others such as podcast and book marking tools were used minimally. Librarians were also found to learn mostly by reading through the conversations of others and joining discussion groups. Based on the findings, the study concluded that librarians in Nigeria actively seek means of professional development using social media and recommends among others, that the use of social media applications such as podcast and bookmarking tools be explored as they could also contribute to professional learning/development.

scholarly journals Secondary School Mathematics Teachers’ Professional Learning in a Lesson Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 2-27
Author(s):  
Adriana Richit ◽  
Mauri Luís Tomkelski
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Mathematics Teachers ◽  
Lesson Study ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Collaborative Work ◽  
School Context ◽  
Teaching Resources ◽  
Public Network

Background: Lesson study is an innovative professional development process, originated from Japan, that is important to know if it may be applicable in other cultural contexts. Objective: This paper analyses professional learning of mathematic teachers involved in lesson study. Design: Qualitative and interpretative research, using participant observation. Setting and participants: The participants are seventeen mathematics teachers of secondary school at the teaching public network of Rio Grande do Sul State. Data collection and analysis: Research’s empirical material consist of field notes produced in the context of lesson study sessions, teachers’ textual productions systematized in their logbooks, audio recordings of the research lesson and debriefing session. Results: The results highlight that teachers’ participation in lesson study provided them professional learning related to deepening of the curricular content to teach at classroom, as well about teaching resources to teach mathematics topics and also about the collaborative work in the school context, the reflection on professional practices and about the teacher’s education approaches prevalent in the educative settings. Conclusions: The study suggests that lesson study is a powerful professional development process both regarding mathematics teaching and professional culture.

scholarly journals Courses Studied by New York Librarianship Students Affect Their Perceived Readiness for Employment

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Kirsty Sheila Thomson
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
School Library ◽  
Public Library ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
New Graduates ◽  
York Metropolitan Area ◽  
Recent Graduates ◽  
Public Librarians ◽  
School Librarianship

Objective – To investigate whether librarianship students felt ready to enter the workforce, and whether practitioners felt recent graduates were suitably prepared. Design – Survey. Setting – A university in New York City, and school and public librarians working in the New York metropolitan area. Subjects – 55 MLS students, 167 school library practitioners, and 181 public library practitioners. Methods – Students surveyed practitioners about new graduates’ readiness to work as librarians. The students also assessed their own readiness. Main Results – Detailed analysis of differences between the responses of the four subject groups – public librarians, school librarians, public library students, and school library students – for each of six survey statements is provided. Practitioners and students felt that school librarianship graduates were more prepared for work than public librarianship graduates. This may have been due to differences in the practical components of their courses. Conclusion – Preparedness for library employment is related to the courses studied by librarianship students.

School Librarians as Significant Other

2013 ◽  
pp. 56-66
Author(s):  
Lara M. Luetkehans ◽  
Rebecca D. Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Professional Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Significant Others ◽  
University Faculty ◽  
School Librarian ◽  
Significant Other ◽  
School Librarians

This chapter explores three strands of research: professional learning communities, the significant others in the development of pre-service teachers, and teacher-school librarian collaboration to develop a strategy for using Online Professional Learning Communities (OPLC) as a means for fostering career-long, mutually beneficial collaborations among teachers and school librarians. A previous study of such an OPLC comprised of pre-service and in-service teachers, university faculty, and school librarians is described. The role of the school librarian as a member of the OPLC is examined, particularly as a significant other (Karmos & Jacko, 1977) in the professional development of pre-service teachers. Recommendations include the key elements of creating OPLCs that are inclusive and demonstrate the value school librarians bring to this community.

The Roles of Professional Organizations in School Library Education

2013 ◽  
pp. 170-193
Author(s):  
Lesley S. J. Farmer
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
School Library ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
School Librarian ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
Library Education ◽  
Library Associations

International guidelines for school libraries and school librarians exist. However, the role of professional library associations in school librarian education has been largely overlooked. This exploratory study examines the role of professional library associations in Brazil, Honduras, Nepal, and the United States (specifically California) relative to school librarian pre-service education and in-service professional development. The associations are analyzed in light of communities of practice and the contingency theory of socialization. The findings demonstrate how professional library associations provide culturally relevant professional development that melds professional expertise and socialization.

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