Do I have what it takes?

Task C

This subject (ETL401) has been an 18 month journey, one which has been eye opening, educational and emotional. I originally took this subject at the end of 2010 and looking back at the blog I have come to see how far my understanding of the teacher librarian’s (TL) role has developed. Originally the role was perceived in terms of the clerical duties that were undertaken by the librarian; the ordering, borrowing, repairing, and covering of books, with little emphasis on the teaching of students (Elliott, 2010, August 16). These original perceptions are not dissimilar to those noted in the literature (Purcell, 2010), which found that many people believe librarians sit around all day occasionally checking out books. My understanding of the TL role was based primarily in my past experience with TLs. This is confirmed by the literature which notes that for many teachers their understanding of the TL’s role is formulated based on the TL and librarians they have encountered in the past (Asselin, 2000, p74, as cited in, Miller, 2005,p.6). This was particularly noted even in younger teachers who had ‘traditional’ views of the TL (Wolcott, Lawless, and Hobbs, 1999, as cited in Miller, 2005, p.7).

Reflecting on my understanding of the role of the TL I have come to realize that although I have read widely on the topic and have changed my views on the TL, I have yet to see a TL perform their duties up to the standards set by the literature. I have come to see based on my experience that the role of the TL is greatly misunderstood and undervalued (Elliott, 2011, November 27). This is a feeling which I am not alone in (Pawsey, 2011, November 30 and Collier, 2011, December 7). Unfortunately, the role is not only misunderstood by the teachers but also the administration as can be seen in the lack of support and understanding for the TL role (Elliott, 2011, November 15).

I now understand that the role of the TL is multidimensional and one which requires commitment from the TL. The TL need to be leaders in so many areas, and especially technology (Loertscher, 2006). While learning about the role of the TL I have adopted numerous previously untried technology; the blog (Elliott, 2011, November 26), second life gaming (Elliott, 2011, November 11) and delicious to name a few. I realize that technology is a crucial aspect of the TL role in the 21^st century. The research conducted on Information Literacy (IL) has also highlighted the importance of developing skills to cope with the vast amounts of information available to 21^st century students. I see that IL should be explicitly taught to students to enable them to develop as students and learners (Elliott, 2012, January 2 and 9). It is pointless expecting students to inquiry into a topic if they do not have the skills to inquiry.

As I have progressed through the course and read more widely I perceive the role of the TL as a lot more than clerical duties. The role is one which is multifaceted although one which seems to be surrounded by confusion. Having done the reading and research I am a firm believer in the power of the library and the TL to assist students and improve performance but feel that it will be an uphill battle to perform all the duties required while faced with a lack of support from staff and administration. In order to succeed the TL needs to possess the personality and drive to educate others and to bring about change and I wonder if I have what it takes.

Reference List (Task C)

Collier, L., (2011, December 7). Re: nice to have the group coming together [forum post]. Retrieved from http://forums.csu.edu.au/perl/forums.pl?task=frameset&forum_id=ETL401_201190_W_D_Sub4_forum&message_id=5496786

Elliott, C., (2010, August 16). We learn more by looking for the answer to a questions and not finding it that we do from learning the answer itself [Blog Post]. Retrieved from Global Nomad. http://australianglobalnomad.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html

Elliott, C., (2011, November 11). So Now I’ll be a Gamer Too! [blog post]. Retrieved from Global Nomad http://australianglobalnomad.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html

Elliott, C., (2011, November 15). Coming Full Circle [Blog Post]. Retrieved from Global Nomad. http://australianglobalnomad.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html

Elliott, C., (2011, November 26). The Journey Continues [Blog Post]. Retrieved from Global Nomad http://australianglobalnomad.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html

Elliott, C., (2011, November 27). Re: nice to have the group coming together [forum post]. Retrieved from http://forums.csu.edu.au/perl/forums.pl?task=frameset&forum_id=ETL401_201190_W_D_Sub4_forum&message_id=5483720

Elliott, C., (2012, January 2). A Library Surrounded by Collaboration but without a Librarian [Blog Post]. Retrieved from Global Nomad http://australianglobalnomad.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=3

Elliott, C., (2012, January 9). I don’t care if they know what a simple machine is they can google it! [Blog Post]. Retrieved from Global Nomad http://australianglobalnomad.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=3

Loertscher, D., (2006). Teacher Librarian as Technology Leader. Teacher Librarian. Vol.34, Issue 1.

Miller, K., (2005). The Novice Teachers Perceptions of the Role of the Teacher Librarian in Information Literacy. School Libraries in Canada.

Pawsey, D., (2011, November 30). Re: nice to have the group coming together [forum post]. Retrieved from http://forums.csu.edu.au/perl/forums.pl?task=frameset&forum_id=ETL401_201190_W_D_Sub4_forum&message_id=5489107

Purcell, M., (2010). All Librarians Do Is Check Out Books, Right? A Look at the Roles of a School Library Media Specialist. Library Media Connection. Now/Dec 2010.