(Bing, 2023).
I always knew, intrinsically at least, that once I crossed the graduation platform after obtaining my teaching degree, that I accepted the philosophy of life-long learning. What that learning looked like in my mind in 1997 was completely different from what I experience in today’s 21st century classroom.
I never imagined that technology and the ease of access it can afford would be where it is today. Nor did I contemplate the professional use of social media platforms in my practice as an educator.
Deciding to pursue a career in Teacher-Librarianship is making a commitment to being a leader in curriculum and technology for your school community. Hence, it is vital that I develop methods of ensuring that I am at the forefront of curriculum, resources, and the tools to get my students where they need to be.
In Leading from the Library: Help Your School Thrive in the Digital Age, Bass and Miller quote the ISTE Standards for Educators and term these the “road map to helping students become empowered learners” (Miller, 2019). Both in the text, on the ISTE website it states that the empowered professional is i) a learner, ii) a leader, and iii) a citizen (International Society for Technology in Education, 2023). I like the poster ISTE created for educators to post in their rooms as a visual to guide their professional practice. Using the metaphor of stretching in yoga to needing to stretch your edtech practice is a relatable image for me as it reminds me to start where I am currently and continue to work on and develop my practice.
My number one “go-tos” for the latest issues and workshops for professional development are the organizations I hold memberships with. These being the British Columbia Teachers’ Association and the British Columbia Teacher-Librarians Association. Both organizations have a page with live links for Professional Development. These are organizations that I trust to keep myself and my colleagues at the forefront of new developments in BC Curriculum and workshops that will help me with delivering the curriculum in new and interesting ways.
Within the BCTF are affiliate organizations that are provincial specialist organizations such as the BC Primary Teachers Association, the BC Intermediate Teachers Association, The BC Secondary Teachers Association, and so on. Below is a YouTube video from the BCTLA’s channel of a webinar they held in 2021 themed, “Designing LLC Environments that Invite Engagement” (British Columbia Teacher-Librarians Association, 2021). Ease of access is key for me to develop as a professional TL. Being a member of these organizations and attending workshops helps to foster my Professional Learning Network (PLN) outside of my school community.
Other methods of expanding my PLN are through my use of social media. Social media has been a constant evolving source of information and connection for me in so many areas of my professional practice. I hold accounts on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/linette.macneil), Instagram (@macneillinette), and Twitter (@LMacNeil413921), and follow many educational accounts of changemakers and innovators in various fields. Tools vary from laptops and iPads to smartphones, and applications such as Zoom, Messenger, Google Meet, and MS Teams are all vital in helping me to stay current and connected.
In addition to social media, I would like to mention this blog. This is my first foray into writing a blog, but not my first blog that I have read and followed. Many colleagues use the medium of the blog to share what they are doing in their classrooms, and library learning commons. They share in real time what works, what doesn’t, what they are reading, and what they are thinking. I have found professional blogs invaluable for getting me to think outside of my perimeter, and developing my own blog has encourage me to stretch my professional thinking even further. Once this course is completed, I would like to continue my journey in the world of Teacher-Librarianship by posting work that I’d like to contribute to the digital space.
I created this poster on CANVA as a visual to remind me of 4 simple methods I can utilize to develop my practice beyond the scope of my diploma program.
Until next time…
Works Cited
Bing. (2023, June 3). Image of Woman in fron of Computer.
British Columbia Teacher-Librarians Association. (2021). BCTLA Conference 2021: Designing LLC Environments that Invite Engagement. Vancouver, Britsh Columbia, Canada. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4hW_oX6kuQ
International Society for Technology in Education. (2023, June 3). ISTE: Standards for Teachers. Retrieved from International Society for Technology in Education: file:///C:/Users/linet/OneDrive/Documents/Linette/Library/LIBE%20477/ISTE%20Standards-One-Sheet_Combined_11-22-2021_vF4%20(1)%20(4).pdf
Miller, W. B. (2019). Leading from the Library: Help Your School Community Thrive in the Digital Age. Oregon: International Society for Technology in Education.
This is a well-developed, thoughtful and reflective post that outlines solid strategies for continuing to develop your skills. I appreciate that you mentioned the ISTE standards. I agree that the yoga stretching metaphor resonates well with our work. I also appreciate that you made a poster to remind yourself of the strategies you have outlined. This is a strong synthesis of your learning and a great takeaway for your reader.
Linette, thank you for reminding me about the ISTE Yoga stretch. I had it hanging in my last office but it did not move when I did. I will defiantly be hanging it up again. Your infographic is another great reminded of the different ways to stay on top of our own learning. Thank you for your inspiration.