After finding the definition for “world library”, I realized that it was a library, but just put into a different format, a “digital library.” This is “a library where the collection and services are in a digital form and/or accessed digitally.” This could be in the form of online databases, world online catalogues, to the more comprehensive view of the entire internet as a digital library. In this sense, I feel that the traditional philosophy of teacher-librarians teaching students to select, find, and evaluate resources has not changed. It is the scope and format of the resources which have changed. Obviously though, since the size of the world library cannot truly be measured, the dangers and pitfalls that come with it increase exponentially as well. Furthermore, a new format also means that the user might probably encounter problems never faced before. Therefore, teaching information literacy is really important job of current teacher-librarians.
Since teaching the students about information literacy is so vital to their life as a student, my school library blog would be an ideal place to start conversations about how to use the world library and the issues we might run into while using it. Ultimately, it would be ideal for all the teachers to commit to a unit about information literacy other than learning some basics during the library orientation at the beginning of the school year. However, since information literacy will be integral to most of the work they do in the library, it should also be interwoven into all their learning using ICT.
Going into a new school, it would be great to get an overview of what they already know about using world libraries. In the beginning, I thought I would provide them some links to some digital libraries and some resources about information literacy. However, after being immersed in how this course was set up, I understand the importance of inquiry based learning. I found the information “sticks” more when you find answers to real life questions that you are interested in. I think it would be worthwhile to start asking some “big questions” about using ICT on my blog. It could be a question as simple as “What is the world library?” As part of my library orientation I could start teaching these research skills by showing them how to get onto my blog and adding their answers to this question onto my blog. A physical format could be also provided on a bulletin board with post-it notes as well, to broaden the scope of people who will see it. I hope these conversations will continue throughout the year and will allow me to know how it has helped their learning of ICT.
Resources
Hi Shirla,
Great reflections! I know starting at a new school seems daunting but you’ll make it work–step by step. I’m sure you will find at least a few allies (teachers at your school) that will be interested in the Inquiry-based learning using ICT you hope to do. It may take a year or two to get things the way you like them and, quite possibly, after you’ve been in the school sometime, other teachers may see you as a resource as they try to engage more with technology. (The collaboration part may take some time.)
I like the idea of you asking “big questions” on your blog–who knows where those conversations will take you! Using a bulletin board for communicating is great too. You can even type in the kid’s replies from the board on to the blog. Likewise, you could print out the online answers and post them on the wall too. Elementary school discussion forum!!
I agree, some pre-assessment would be helpful in order to determine what information technology skills students need. I wondered about how you would go about that… Questionnaires and surveys? Internet-based challenges, like a scavenger hunt? Let me know what you come up with 🙂 Also, using the conversations on your blog/bulletin board as ongoing assessment is a great idea! Good luck!
Don’t forget your teaching community – how do they view information literacy? What experience do they have with concepts of world library, inquiry-based learning, digital literacy, social literacy, media literacy, etc.? What are their technological dispositions? What have they tried? What worked, what didn’t work? I see the role of teacher-librarian as important for teachers as well as students. If the students are getting a certain style and method of learning in the library, but it isn’t supported, or worse, undermined, by classroom teachers, then the teacher librarian is going to feel isolated and unsupported. If, however, the TL can build a support network of interested educators, pursuing inquiry, world library, digital learning etc. together, that would be a very vibrant and exciting school to work in.