Saturday, 14 March 2015

Final Vision #1




I have two ideas for my Vision of the Future project...decisions, decisions!
http://sipforyourcause.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/collaboration-wordle.png
My first idea is quite simple but I think will fill a gigantic gap that currently exists in our District. I want to develop a "School Libraries" or "School Librarians" network for our local area that is more comprehensive than just email. Now that I have learned about blogging, I am thinking that this might be a good way to go...however, I also think that just developing a website might also be a way to go...
My rationale for this Vision of the Future project is two-fold:
  1. Our District doesn't have a School Libraries/Librarians network other than email and I believe that this would be beneficial. Our District doesn't have many school librarians in terms of fte hours as we have seen drastic cutbacks to teacher-librarian (TL) positions. That means that we have  many TL's but they work 'bits and pieces' of library time while they juggle other positions. They simply do not have the time to to go looking for support or resources. A communication network that is easy to find and well laid out will provide a quick "go to" for support and reference.
  2. I am passionate about building collaboration across our District. We have "bits and pieces" of this happening through a variety of specific initiatives but overall, our District is weak in terms of sharing resources and ideas. Schools generally operate as "islands" of people and materials and rarely are the human resources or material resources shared. I believe a network that allows for discussion and sharing of ideas will help bridge the gaps between schools.
 Which format to develop this network with requires some thought. Off the top of my head, a blog seems easy enough but I'm not sure if the lay-out meshes with my vision in terms of access for others and the resources I want shared. A website would be much better but I may be limited by the District's system for setting this up. I definitely could create one for our local TL's but it would be inside our District portal, which means that anyone outside our District would not be able to access it. I'd like our local TL's to be able to connect to the rest of the world too!
http://library.csun.edu/images/enewsletter/LearningCommonsimage.jpg
Add caption
My second idea is to create Vision for the Future project focused on bringing Library Commons to our District. We have "the rumblings" in terms of the fact that people have heard about it, but in truth, Library Commons is a mystery to us! I could make a presentation on this innovative idea that will "sell" the idea of making our Libraries into Library Commons. My rationale for this project would be two-fold:
  • I think this could be very inspirational for our District and could be the backbone for the investment into resources to support 21st C learning and the BC Ed plan. We have TL's that are skilled and passionate about student learning but we need resources and time to make it happen.
  • This type of project that highlights what is happening elsewhere could be the catalyst for pedagogical shift that some of our TL's might be looking for. Some of the TL's I've talked to personally feel that our libraries and librarians are highly underutilized resources with the current "read-a-story-book-exchange" model. TL's want to be part of initiatives that are happening in the school and they want to support deeper student learning. We need to inspire our teachers to branch away from the current model and see how the library could support them in their endeavours to be innovative, allow for student inquiry, and bring passion and exploration to their students' learning.
In terms of format for this project, I am thinking that a power point with video and sound embedded would be the way to go so that it can be easily shared via email etc. In keeping with my ideals about collaboration, I would want others to easily be able to view my project and perhaps find inspiration in it. While I'm excited about this project and feel that it would be highly valuable, a have a feeling it has already been done (I just haven't had a chance to look yet!).


Collaboration image: http://sipforyourcause.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/collaboration-wordle.png
Learning Commons image: http://library.csun.edu/images/enewsletter/LearningCommonsimage.jpg
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5 comments:

  1. Aaron Mueller15 March 2015 at 19:20

    These are two excellent ideas that will not only help you vision your future as a TL leader in your district and province, but also serve the very valuable goal of connecting and supporting your community of TLs in your district. Building capacity, supporting each other, developing shared experiences are very powerful ways to advance initiatives in your district. My bias is showing here, but I would love to see both projects done someday, but realize that it is not possible just for this course. Either of these will help you and your district immensely and can ultimately support the other project in getting going too. (Your presentation can initiate the development of a blog/network, or the Blog/Network can facilitate the creation of a shared presentation that would engage all TLs in your district.)

    So, whatever you choose, I think it will be a fantastic vision and also a very helpful addition for your district and community. Great thinking!

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    1. Unknown18 March 2015 at 07:42

      Awesome - thank you Aaron! I am looking forward to chatting with my tech department to see what their opinion is in terms of format. I think I will end up creating the network and a presentation to promote the network that highlights how to navigate the resource...baby steps!

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  2. Harpreet15 March 2015 at 20:19

    Hi Colline,

    I LOVE your ideas for your future vision project! You definitely have a tough decision to make! It would be fabulous if you can find a way to connect TL's across your district. I know that any time we have had a chance to work collaboratively over pro - d we always leaving with excellent new ideas. The thought of being able to connect more rather than just over email, would be awesome!

    I also love your idea of the learning commons. That is something that I am really working towards this year as well and I agree that often our librarians are under utilized. Good for you for looking forward to trying to make a change that will be so positive within your school! :)

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    1. Unknown18 March 2015 at 07:48

      Thanks Harpreet! Does your district have a group of librarians that meets regularly such as some of the other LSA's? This would be interesting for our district as we haven't had this kind of pro-d for our libraries in many many years!

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  3. Unknown20 March 2015 at 07:48

    Hi Colline. The high school TLs in the district have started meeting up once a month to get to know each other and discuss pressing issues in our libraries. I love the idea of having a site where we all contribute and share resources. I am setting up a group site for collaboration within my school but I don't know how this would look across the district. You could allow others to have access to your site when you set it up (manage users) and by providing others with the URL to the site.

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