The multifaceted role of information and communication

The Internet

Received from https://justcreative.com

Development in the 21st century demands access to information. Before books were enough to inform patrons however there is now a need to connect online. Public libraries increasingly offer public access to the Internet and all of the information resources it can provide (Hamilton, 2013).  When we look at third world countries, Internet is still unable to reach the majority of patrons. A study in 2013 showed 35% of the global population as being online (Hamilton, 2013). With this shift it is no doubt important that public libraries are able to provide as many patrons access to the Internet.

The international federation of library associations (IFLA) and institutes has begun to raise awareness through the Beyond Access initiative (Hamilton, 2013). This initiative is helping developing countries connect public libraries to the Internet. “Over the last few years, IFLA has been actively involved with the creation of the UN 2030 Agenda, advocating for the inclusion of access to information, safeguarding of cultural heritage, universal literacy, and access to information and communication technologies (ICT) in the framework” (IFLA.org).  They have library projects all over the world; Nepal, Serbia, Kenya, Bhutan, and Uganda to name a few.  Their mission is to provide community’s access to free Internet as a way to access information, provide community literacy, and employability.

Some of the current projects they are working on:

                                                       Advocating for access to information

Beyond access Myanmar

Contest for libraries and digital inclusion- Uruguay

Pictures received from https://beyondaccess.net/projects/

With more pressing matters in third world countries, Internet access doesn’t seem to be a priority. I feel they do not want to spend millions of dollars running wires and cables across the country like they do here in Canada. It is cheaper for these countries to have a hub (public libraries) where people can come and have access to Internet.

I was lucky enough to travel to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania eight years ago. When I was there I notices how many people had cell phones, iPhones, and other mobile devices. This highlights the question where do mobile devices come into play? I did not realize this but mobile Internet is actually cheaper and easier to distribute within these third world countries. Internet Kiosks was one of the first solutions for addressing the digital gap back in 2006 (Lally, 2018) These were Internet hubs set up in rural locations, providing Internet access to whole communities rather than individual access.

 Overall Internet provides everyone with equal opportunities. “As mobile phone networks spread to cover all rural areas, we have the chance to affect the lives of people who need the help most, making big changes to how people handle money, work, learn, and participate in government” (UNISEF innovation, 2015). It provides the opportunities to build up literacy and community, helping their quality of life. Not only in third world countries but also in my own backyard. This summer I spend the majority of my time at my regional library. I notice familiar faces every day while waiting for the doors to open. I saw the internet helping many different people whether is be as a way  to communicate with family or print off resumes.  It also provided patrons with a safe and warm place to come. Libraries are magical places and it’s nice to see the impact they are making within my own community and in third world countries.

References:

Hamilton, Stuart (2013) Stamping out poverty as well as books? How libraries can support development. Received from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2013/mar/12/libraries-power-global-development

Lally, Anna (2018) Internet access in developing countries: A took for sustainability. Retrieved from https://borgenproject.org/internet-access-in-developing-countries-a-tool-for-sustainability/

UNICEF Innovation (2015). How mobile phone are changing the developing world. Received from https://blogs.unicef.org/innovation/how-mobile-phones-are-changing-the-developing-world/

Websites:

https://www.ifla.org/news/7409

https://beyondaccess.net

P.A.T.I.E.N.C.E

A reminder of patience

Patience is defined as "the capacity to accept or tolerate delay without getting angry or upset" (dictionary.com.) During today’s yoga class we were told to think about what this word means to us. When I think about patience within the teaching profession I’ve realized teachers have this pretty down pact with their own classrooms and students. However, I feel some teachers forget to have patience with in themselves. When it comes to sharing what we’ve learned with our wider communities this is something where I plan on having lots of patience. Being a TTOC makes it difficult to communicate as that isn’t really our role. When I am in the position of teacher librarian I plan on making collaboration my number one focus as I believe this is the best way we can share what we’ve learned within our learning community and other teachers around the world.

1.     Collaboration

I feel it is through collaboration that we can share our practices with one another, learning from each other. In order to achieve this goal Toor & Weidburg’s book, New on the job, states, “On day one, you have to be proactive, seeking ... [teachers] out and establishing a collegial bond" (2015, p. 5). It is up to the teacher librarian to reach out! Toor & Weisburg also offer some helpful hints for encouraging teachers to frequent the library, giving teacher-librarians the opportunity to initiate conversations and ultimately, partnerships. For example, by having an inviting teacher area or workspace in the library where teachers can do their photocopying, prep work, and perhaps have a coffee or a snack, the library will most likely be visited by staff more frequently, giving us an opportunity to "engage them in conversation whenever possible" (2015, p. 93). It is through conversation we are able to build relationships with teachers.   As Toor & Weisburg explain in Chapter 6, "as you become increasingly familiar with teachers, you can use Anthony F. Gregory's Mind Styles Model" to determine their personality type and the best way to approach collaboration with them (2015, p. 101). By getting to know each of the teachers on a deeper level, we can vary and adapt our collaboration techniques in a way that is best suited to their personality and teaching style. I believe this is a good start on ways to build effective partnerships within the school. By working together teachers are able to share their learning and discoveries, making our professional development a regular practice.  

A teacher librarian (TL) develops the role of education leader as they have a unique role within the school. They get the exception of working with every student and every teacher within the school. With that being said, they have the ability to collaborate with every single person within the school. I believe this is what makes the teacher librarian role so special. We shouldn’t take that for granted. I plan on using collaboration as a way to learn different tools and strategies from other staff within the school. A wonder quote posted on the wall in the staff room says “the most valuable resource that all teachers have us each other- without collaboration our growth is limited by our own perspectives”.

The TL therefor plays an important role in supporting collaboration with the school and community. With support from the library learning commons leadership team (library committee) they are able to work with teachers to design challenges, which empower student led collaborative learning (Canadian Library Association, p.11). They also have the job of creating a space within the library, which aids in collaboration. It is within the library-learning hub where we model and celebrate collaboration, knowledge building, play, innovation, and creativity (Canadian Library Association p.11). The LLC's would not thrive without collaboration. It is through the process of collaborating that we can help teach literacy skills efficiently, utilize a variety of resources, introduce technologies, and create an efficient space.

                                                                            amazon

2.     Social media

My goal is to continue using a blog for educational purposes. For me this helps solidify my learning experience. It also gives me hope with the ability to  pass on something I’ve learnt to someone else in the world going through the same thing. If we don’t try we don’t succeed. I would link the blog on my library learning commons website so teachers have access to my latest learning journey. I feel this strategy is a way to lead by example. I will invite other teachers to check out my blog and those teachers who are hesitant to collaborate will hopefully become comfortable sharing their own journey with other teaches. In a way this would also showcase to staff that there are many different forms of professional development available online. Resources like twitter, Instagram, and educational blogs have helped me question my teaching beliefs and inquire about different teaching strategies tried all over the world.

Twitter

 

           Instagram                                                                                                Blogger           

3.     Lunch and learn.  

I also plan on inviting staff into the library for a lunch/ learn, as mentioned by Catherine Nickerson in her blog post last week. This is another more formal way of collaborating. I believe it is important to make time at school to learn from one another and or discuss issues we are having within our classroom/school community.

I believe this would work wonderfully with the professional development days. By meeting with everyone in the school we are able to create a school wide goal which teachers can then attend professional development programs or self directed inquiry where everyone would then meet and share to the rest of the staff their findings. I know for myself being a new teacher makes it hard to just pick one direction of development. With the new curriculum there are plenty of avenues to choose so why not learn more than one by sharing with your staff and community.

These are just a few ideas I have right now, as I am still learning about the idea of what tools and strategies are best implemented to meet the professional development of staff.

References:

 Canadian Library Association. (2014). Leading learning: Standards of practice for school library learning commons in Canada.  Ottawa: ON (p.17) see Fostering Literacies to Empower Life-Long Learners

Toor, R., & Weisburg, H. K. (2012). New on the job: A school library media specialist’s guide to success. 2nd edition. Chicago: American Library Association.