scholarly journals Generating Change through Professional Development

2021 ◽  
pp. 247-253
Author(s):  
Linda Selby ◽  
Liz Probert
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Reading Skills ◽  
School Library ◽  
Literacy Course ◽  
Effective Use

This is the story of how an information literacy course for teachers in New Zealand has proved to be a catalyst for change. It has resulted in students being better able to make sense of the endless information they can access, improved reading skills and led to more effective use of the school library.

scholarly journals School Library Leading the Way

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Probert
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Cluster Model ◽  
School Library ◽  
Lead Teachers ◽  
Processing Information ◽  
Library Staff ◽  
The Way

In 2007 the principals of three schools in Auckland, New Zealand, formed a cluster with the aim of improving standards of information literacy in their schools over three years. Research, reported in a paper at the 2008 IASL conference, demonstrated that few teachers in the cluster were explicitly teaching their students the skills they needed when undertaking research or inquiry. In early 2008, a group of Lead Teachers, led by the teacher librarian in the largest school, and including trained library staff, designed a cluster model for teachers to use with their students when processing information. They also designed cluster-wide professional development which each school implemented in different ways. This paper reports on the findings of an evaluation carried out to measure the effectiveness of the first round of professional development.

scholarly journals The reflective information literacy educator

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Whitworth
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
The Way

The shift in perception, from librarians as providers of information to librarians as educators in the effective use of information, requires the profession to become aware of differing approaches to the development of teaching and of the professional consciousness of educators: also of the way certain forms of teaching and CPD are privileged over others within higher education institutions, and why. This paper reports on and synthesises a range of theoretical works in this area, to explain how becoming an effective information literacy educator requires not just an awareness of practice, but developing it, through a continous interaction between theory and practice. The librarian-as-educator must engage in professional development practices which, ultimately, require the continuous questioning of the very foundations of IL, and work actively towards raising awareness of these processes throughout their institutions.

scholarly journals Unlocking the Potential of School Libraries: What Actions are New Zealand Primary School Principals Taking to Integrate the School Library in Information Literacy Initiatives? Final Report

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elisabeth Mei-Xing Ngan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Principals ◽  
School Library ◽  
External Support ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Primary School Principals ◽  
Literacy Initiatives

<p>Information literacy is implicit in the national education curriculum’s key competencies for students, yet primary schools lack an explicit path to develop students’ information skills. The literature shows that school library programs can foster information literacy and improve student achievement, with the principal’s support identified as a significant factor. This study investigates the actions of New Zealand primary school principals to integrate the school library in information literacy initiatives. An online survey collected quantitative and qualitative data from a random sample of primary school principals, stratified by decile rating to reflect the school population in microcosm. Sixty-nine responses were collected and the low response rate meant it was not possible to generalise the results of the survey. Key findings of the research were that a majority of principals supported information literacy initiatives through advocacy; professional development; use of external support; student assessment; separate library budgets; and reasonable library opening hours. A minority maintained a separate information literacy policy; adequately resourced the library with trained staff; or promoted collaborative planning between teaching and library staff through flexible scheduling of class library time. Actions were not affected by decile rating but differences by school size and locale were identified, particularly for small and rural schools. Principals’ perceptions of information literacy did not appear to affect their actions. Suggestions for further research are made to expand upon the findings.</p>

scholarly journals Distance Education During the Covid-10 Epidemic as a Challenge and Opportunity for the Personal and Professional Development of a School Librarian

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Metka Kostanjevec
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Distance Education ◽  
Virtual Environment ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
School Library ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
School Librarian ◽  
Difficult Situation

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, all schools had to close their doors last year. Classes moved to a virtual environment, and students and teachers were left without the opportunity to visit school libraries overnight. Therefore, the school library of the Prva gimnazija Maribor has operated smoothly throughout the time of the epidemic and strives to facilitate the work of students, teachers, and other employees as much as possible, continue to promote reading, develop reading and information literacy, and at the same time enrich the educational process. The article presents how we found our way to our readers despite the difficult situation.

scholarly journals Information Literacy in New Zealand Secondary and Primary Schools

2021 ◽  
pp. 162-181
Author(s):  
Helen Slyfield
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Professional Development For Teachers ◽  
Information Skills ◽  
Literacy Resources ◽  
Teaching Information

New Zealand schools were surveyed on current aspects of developing information literacy. The research also sought to identify schools' priorities to further develop these skills. Response rates were 63% (secondary schools) and 67% (primary schools). Most schools are working on various aspects of teaching information skills and considered their students are developing these skills to at least some extent but recognise that there is still some way to go. Research showed a strong need for professional development for teachers and for information literacy resources covering the place of information skills in the curriculum, a skills framework at each level, and practical help for teaching and evaluating information skills.

scholarly journals Unlocking the Potential of School Libraries: What Actions are New Zealand Primary School Principals Taking to Integrate the School Library in Information Literacy Initiatives? Final Report

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elisabeth Mei-Xing Ngan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Principals ◽  
School Library ◽  
External Support ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Primary School Principals ◽  
Literacy Initiatives

<p>Information literacy is implicit in the national education curriculum’s key competencies for students, yet primary schools lack an explicit path to develop students’ information skills. The literature shows that school library programs can foster information literacy and improve student achievement, with the principal’s support identified as a significant factor. This study investigates the actions of New Zealand primary school principals to integrate the school library in information literacy initiatives. An online survey collected quantitative and qualitative data from a random sample of primary school principals, stratified by decile rating to reflect the school population in microcosm. Sixty-nine responses were collected and the low response rate meant it was not possible to generalise the results of the survey. Key findings of the research were that a majority of principals supported information literacy initiatives through advocacy; professional development; use of external support; student assessment; separate library budgets; and reasonable library opening hours. A minority maintained a separate information literacy policy; adequately resourced the library with trained staff; or promoted collaborative planning between teaching and library staff through flexible scheduling of class library time. Actions were not affected by decile rating but differences by school size and locale were identified, particularly for small and rural schools. Principals’ perceptions of information literacy did not appear to affect their actions. Suggestions for further research are made to expand upon the findings.</p>

scholarly journals Independent Searching During One-Shot Information Literacy Instruction Sessions: Is It an Effective Use of Time?

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekah Willson
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Literacy Instruction ◽  
Search Time ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pedagogical Practice ◽  
Class Time ◽  
Information Literacy Instruction ◽  
Thesis Statement ◽  
Effective Use

Objective – To test the assumption that giving students time to research independently during a one-shot information literacy instruction (ILI) session, combined with scaffolding, is an effective pedagogical practice and a good use of class time. Methods – The study was conducted at a student-focused, four-year undergraduate institution with 8,500 full load equivalent students. Following brief, focused instruction in 10 different ILI sessions, first-, second-, and third-year students in 80-minute one-shot ILI sessions were given time to research independently. The librarian and instructor were present to scaffold the instruction students received. Students were asked to track the research they did during class using a research log and to fill out a short Web survey about their preparedness to do research and the usefulness of the ILI session. Results – Students agreed to have 83 research logs and 73 Web surveys included in the study. Students indicated that they felt more prepared to do research for their assignment after the ILI session and rated individual help from the librarian as the most useful aspect of the instruction session. Students did not rate independent time to do research as valuable as anticipated. Examining the research logs indicated that several things are taking place during the ILI session, including that students are demonstrating what was taught in the session in their searches, that their searches are progressing in complexity, and that students are using feedback from previous searches to inform the formulation of search queries. While students appear to be putting independent search time to good use, many students’ articulation of their thesis statement remains poor and searches continue to be fairly simplistic. Conclusions – This study gives evidence that giving independent research time in ILI sessions, with scaffolding, is an effective use of class time. The study also demonstrates that the majority of students are able to use what is taught during classes and that they are using class time effectively, though searching remains fairly simple. The focus of ILI sessions is on skill development, and future research should be on integrating IL into the curriculum to develop more complex skills and thinking needed in the research process.

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.

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