SLAV Conference Jennifer Hall BSSC Library Coordinator 17 March 2005

Overview Designing curriculum Researching Together : Engaging Minds A brief tour and opportunity to ‘play’ Delivering curriculum Partnerships in action Teacher Librarian, classroom teacher and students using R2gether

Our Learning Environment 1800 students 150 staff VCE, VET and VCAL Researching Together: Engaging Minds: A learning and teaching resource adapted to suit other learning environments

Current Research Has identified that an effective school library, lead by a learning-centred teacher-librarian who has a clearly defined role in information- centred pedagogy, plays a critical role in facilitating student learning for building knowledge (Todd, 2004)

In the past… Teacher librarians were often disengaged from the selection, organisation, presentation and evaluation phases of the research investigation. In today’s paradigm the librarian, as collaborator with the teacher, is part of the process through to its ultimate goal, that of the synthesis of new knowledge. (Markuson, 2000).

Student Learning – our challenges Explore what strategies our school library program could implement to make a difference to learning and teaching initiatives and student learning outcomes? Currently involved in a research project with ten other regional and metropolitan schools

Student Learning – our challenges Not just a focus on what students have been taught (‘content-based’ education), but focusing on what students have learned (‘outcomes- based’ education)

Role – more complex We no longer just want library sessions which ‘dip’ the students into a quick overview of a skill development for example: a one off lesson on bibliographies Our instructional intervention needs to be focused on addressing the needs of the student throughout the learning process

Research Challenge Very conscious of being aware of emotional intelligence when students are completing a research task - how do they feel about the task at each stage - what concerns do they have when working individually and in groups - when is intervention important? Recognising the Research Challenge is always our important consideration.Research Challenge

Collaborative planning Current research indicates that information literacy skills should be taught in conjunction with related subject matter as part of the teaching unit. This can be done with classroom teachers and teacher librarians working together in developing such units. - interdisciplinary skills/personal learning

Strategy A learning and teaching resource which guides teachers through theoretical knowledge and practical examples to support information literacy and promote a knowledge sharing culture, where the whole school community can work together as learning partners.

Strategy Researching Together’ : Engaging Minds Research Formats Planning Evidence Based Practice Knowledge Sharing

PoLT Pedagogy Learning Environments building positive relationships, student’s self confidence and risk taking ability, including emotional security to challenge and support students to confidently explore different ideas and pathways

PoLT Pedagogy For teachers to identify and evaluate information literacy skills for each learning task to promote and encourage self directed learning and motivation

In practice… Research Formats Research Formats provide the intellectual scaffolding to implement inquiry learning, information literacy, ICT and thinking curriculum strategies. Endangered Animals – wwwlinks Endangered Animals – Information Process Format Endangered Animals – Research Inquiry Format Endangered Animals Endangered Animals

PoLT Pedagogy Development and implementation of thinking skills, questioning techniques and evidence based practices to challenge and support student thinking and skill application For teachers to work in partnership to plan, teach and evaluate learning tasks to provide a supportive and productive learning environment to engage learners

In practice… Planning Templates for teachers and studentsPlanning Templates

PoLT Pedagogy Student’s learning styles and thinking skills to challenge and support students to question, investigate, create, problem solve and reflect

PoLT Pedagogy Student’s Technology experiences which mirror contemporary real world practices

In practice… Information Skills Checklist for students to reflect on their skill and knowledge in terms of information literacyInformation Skills Checklist

PoLT Pedagogy Student’s readiness, skills and understandings before and after instructional intervention ensuring frequent feedback, explicit assessment criteria and encouragement of reflection and self assessment For teachers to provide evidence of instructional intervention and to ensure assessment tasks are an integral part of the learning environment

In practice… Evidence based practice strategies to assist in measuring the impact of instructional intervention on student achievement.Evidence based practice Rubrics Staff and student feedback ReportingStaff and student feedback Reporting

PoLT Pedagogy For teachers to create a knowledge sharing culture using the Intranet, www and ICT publications to connect and share with real world communities and educational environments beyond the local classroom setting

In practice… Knowledge Sharing, which provides a wealth of practical tools to develop learning and teaching strategies and extend professional development.Knowledge Sharing,

Building Partnerships Teachers and Teacher-Librarians Approached by teacher to work with Classical Societies and Cultures class in semester two After students completed their first task their teacher had assessed that the students needed skill building in certain areas

Building Partnerships Sought Library support to design a research activity We needed to structure the research task to met the needs of this particular group of students. -Planning Together - personal and -Designing – Content and Process tasks -Teaching – Specified sessions and tasks -Evaluation – Assess associated subject and library delivery

Building Partnerships Teachers Unit 2 Classical Societies and Cultures Topic: FestivalsFestivals Selected an Information Process Skills Format Provided a research structure as a base

Building Partnerships Students Completing a planning scheduleCompleting a planning schedule Completing an information skills checklistCompleting an information skills checklist

Building Partnerships Students research booklet concept maps note taking sheets (print)note taking sheets note making sheets (electronic) bibliography help sheetsnote making sheets bibliography help sheets learning logs

Building Partnerships Students Evaluation Techniques Rubrics Essay SAC Self evaluation

Opportunities for students At BSSC: Improved student results Students more challenged and focused with an independent learning approach Information literacy skills addressed for continued learning Improved their knowledge and skills of the research process Improved their ability to analyse and synthesise information Developed their ICT skills and knowledge of an online learning environment

Opportunities for teachers At BSSC: Provided an opportunity to plan a research activity with the library that could engage and extend the student Provided an opportunity to plan a variety of learning and teaching strategies which addressed learning styles and student interest Improved staff knowledge of information literacy skills Increased staff confidence in using ICT Provided an impetus to tackle an online activity where previously there had been some hesitation Provided personal and professional growth and exchange of ideas

Building Partnerships ‘Researching Together: Engaging Minds’ Provides learning and teaching strategies to meet the needs of individual teachers and students BSSC PoLT Developing student’s Information Literacy Skills at BSSCDeveloping student’s Information Literacy Skills at BSSC

An Invitation “Share; because hard- earned Knowledge should never be hoarded” Alice Yucht 2003 And “Grow Together; because partnerships in education provide the keys to learning”

Knowledge Sharing Further Information and orders from SLAV » Jennifer Hall – Bendigo Senior Secondary College – (03) 5443