“The greatest tool we have at our disposal is the power of conversation.” Peter Shaw
I was at a workshop after school yesterday
and we were asked to pick a toy car from a pile placed in the middle of the
table. We were to pick a car that best
represented where we are in relationship to technology. My friend beside me took the jeep and when we
were discussing why, his response was that the jeep was the most reliable of
the cars. I blurted out, without
thinking, that the jeep had no roof for rainy days. His argument was that the jeep was reliable
because it could handle all types of terrain.
My point is that each one of us comes to the table with different
perspectives and I think that in order to best respond to the needs of our
staff, we need to be good listeners, ask lots of questions for clarification
and provide an opportunity for staff to ask questions, too.
Technology has the opportunity to transform
education. As teacher-librarians, we can
support staff through helping them understand how technology can play a role in
their teaching. Stephen Anderson talks about personalized technology learning
for teachers and offering not only the how but the why in using
technology.
It is also important to note that research
shows that classroom teachers are more willing to collaborate with a
teacher-librarian who is viewed as an involved leader. (Lance, Rodney, &
Russell, 2007).
There is also an abundance of literature
that suggests the principal plays a vital role in helping the teacher-librarian
be viewed as a leader. (Johnston, 2012).
Being new to the school and
teacher-librarianship, here are some of the ways I think I could begin to support
the school community with their professional development,
- Set up a library website to include
professional resources for staff
- Become
more active on Twitter, share learning with others including staff, take risks
- Continue
attending les “dîners causeries” (lunch conversations) that the principal
organizes and offer to present based on the needs of the staff
- Be
more active at staff meetings
- Continue
to attend ProD workshops and be mindful of what makes a useful Pro.D.
References:
Anderson. S. (2014, February 17). Technology Coaches: Helping Teachers Find The
Best Way to Use technology in their Classroom. [Audio Podcast]. Retrieved from https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/every-classroom-matters-cool/id606677009
Johnson, M. (2012). Connecting Teacher
Librarians for Technology Integration Leadership. School Libraries Worldwide.
Vol. 18, No.1, Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=f54189ae-add2-48b3-a546-72afffcb51ee%40sessionmgr4002&vid=2&hid=4206
Lance, K.C., Rodney, M.J., Russell, B.
(2007). Library Media Programs and Achievement. Retrieved from http://www.cobbk12.org/librarymedia/proof/research.pdf
Lumaxart. (2007). Working Together Teamwork Puzzle.[Image]. Retrieved from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Working_Together_Teamwork_Puzzle_Concept.jpg
