What issues, interests, or opportunities do you anticipate arising in your teaching in the near future? Is there a component of this issue, interest, or opportunity that relates to the use of digital technologies?

Though I am a relatively new Teacher-Librarian, I have taught in my current school for sixteen years, so I have a good sense of where the LLC sits in the overall culture and life of the school.

In my experience, both teachers and students tend to see the LLC in fairly traditional terms:  a place for signing out paper books, for working on homework, research or small group projects, or for making use of our analog Makerspace materials, e.g. paper crafts, colouring books, Lego, jigsaw puzzles.  It is not that students don’t see the LLC as a technological place; we are lucky to have iPad and laptop carts, digital and Go-Pro cameras, a green screen, podcasting equipment, and a 3D printer.  But these resources have been reserved for teachers in the past and there has been very little in the way of opportunities – for teachers or students – to learn how to use them.  There have also been few opportunities to become familiar with the digital capacity of the Library, e.g. our extensive on-line tools, databases and apps, and the opportunities available with Web 2.0 tools.  One of my major goals over the next few years is to change this.  This will include expanding the Makerspace to the digital realm so that students can explore and develop new skills independently (e.g. coding, robotics, etc.), making our computer lab more multi-functional in terms of media creation and publishing, and offering access and workshops to both teachers and students on digital and technological subjects.  My hope is that this will help the LLC become a more vibrant, modern, relevant hub of learning in the school.

What curriculum is related to this issue, interest or opportunity?

In expanding independent inquiry (Makerspace), research and media creation opportunities, the LLC would be helping students and teachers develop skills related to courses across the entire curriculum.

What pedagogy might be useful for fostering learners’ engagement and excitement?

In developing the technological and digital capacities of my LLC, I think two pieces of writing will serve as my touchstones:  Trevor Mackenzie’s Dive Into Inquiry and Taking Making into Classrooms by Dr. Susan Crichton and Deb Carter.  Both describe a student-centred approach that focuses on a student following and exploring their own interest.  They also describe true inquiry as a recursive process that helps students develop independent creative and critical thinking skills and a growth mindset.  Finally, they situate this process in a social context with peer-led learning and community-building at its core.  I think this will be the most useful pedagogical framework for engaging students and getting them excited about what they can do in the LLC.

What digital technologies can you imagine contributing to enrich, enable, or enhance learning?

For the Makerspace, I can imagine new software purchased for designated LLC computers that would allow for software and robotics design, and an on-line tool for 3D object design and editing.

For Media Creation and Publishing, I can imagine software such as iMovie and/or Garage Band to help students create and edit video and audio, as well as on-line tools to help students with special effects, green screen, etc.

I will also need to research the best platforms for creating, publishing and sharing student work in a variety of media.

What are the keywords that you would use to identify elements of this issue, interest, or opportunity?

• Inquiry
• Makerspace
• Media creation
• Media publishing

Drawing from the key words pertaining to your curriculum, pedagogy, and digital technology, make a list of possible topics you might need to broaden your understanding of this area of interest.

In addition to the broad subjects listed in the keywords, I will have to consider the evaluation and critique of online resources, both for myself during the selection process, and for my students to help them make the best choices during their research or inquiry process.   As well, I will need to keep in mind the digital identity and digital safety of my students, especially when it comes to suggesting platforms for media publishing.  To do that effectively, I will need to review and adhere to any Ministry, District and school policies regarding resource selection and on-line behaviour.

Sources Cited

Crichton, Susan, and Carter, Deb.  Taking Making into Classrooms.  Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Education.

Mackenzie, Trevor.  Dive Into Inquiry.  Elevate Books, 2016.