THE TEACHER-LIBRARIAN AND STRATEGIC CHANGE Towards 21C learning in a 21C school

Intended Audience and outcomes Audience: School principals deputy/assistant principals, head teachers Is that ok- yes Outcomes of the article: Revise/summarize the concept and learning benefits of a 21st century pedagogy Establish/reassert the 21c school library and its teacher librarian as the linchpin of the 21C school Summarize/synthesize the critical elements of strategic planning and change management in moving towards this goal Advocate the role and unique skills of the t/l in leading the vision/change towards a 21C school

Schools have not kept abreast of the changes in society and the education system is struggling to engage students. Education has not adapted to the needs of employers and schools need to prepare students for employment by teaching them the skills they need.

Problem Solving, Decision Making, Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Negotiation, Intellectual Curiosity, and the ability to find, select, structure, and evaluate information. Employers are seeking these skills in conjunction with the tools used in the 21st Century. It is when this is considered that the above skills become complicated. Skills needed for the 21st Century as outlined by CISCO

Intergrate 21st Century learning into all subject areas by moving away from a teacher centered approach. Teacher uses many different strategies and skills to tailor learning to the individual and align classroom learning to represent the student’s modern globalised world

The 21st Century Teacher Librarian … The TL recognises the paradigm shift occuring in education and the progression toward 21st Century skills. The TL's unique qualifications, skills and ability to lead collegially are essential to the changes needed in learning, teaching and curriculum which create opportunities for new development within institutions. (Cheng, 2002, Cisco, 2008).

The 21st Century Library … The 21st Century library is a multifunctional facility, which is both a flexible and stimulating environment administered by a creative and collaborative TL, and the hub of a successful 21st Century school community. (Cisco, 2008; Noah and Brickman, as cited in Hay & Foley, n.d.).

Teacher Librarians aim to… Harness students existing abilities to utilise and problem solve using technological tools. Teach creative, critical thinking and lifelong learning skills using technology and it's tools.

A strategic approach for planning and change must be adopted if there is to be any chance of success. Strategic approaches are focused on moving the school towards the clearly stated 21st Century vision align and unify actions and people towards these goals seek critical intervention points for achieving change. Operating strategically

Beyond ‘good’ Strategic leadership surpasses 'good' leadership in that it comprises a distinct set of behaviours and personal attributes. It is responsive: able to learn from new information and flexible enough to respond and adapt ( Davies & Davies, 2005 ).

Information has changed and it has been the TL that has needed to embrace the 21st Century tools. It is for this reason that the TL is positioned to guide the school through the changes needed to prepare students for employment in the 21st Century. Teacher Librarian as leader in strategic change towards 21st Century School

The TL understands the needs of the clients and is able to transfer their existing knowledge of 21st Century tools and learning to a whole school environment. It is with an understanding of the client's needs that purpose can be given to the change needed to create a 21st Century learning environment/ School. The issues are not unique to one school and need to occur on a global scale but at a local level the TL can implement strategies that are adapted from experience.

It is through increased engagment that students will be able to develop skills required to survive in ever changing 21st Century. Technology must be used to support the teaching and learning of the curriculum and not as an answer to engage students."...influence, to motivate those around you and to take them where they have never gone before- is the very essence of visionary information leadrship. Balancing resources against future needs and goals remains a constant preoccupation with most of those working in libraries today. ” ( Winzenried, 2010).

Balnaves, P. (1996). Appendix C. In Strategic planning guide for self-managing schools (pp ). Deakin, A.C.T.: National Council of Independent Schools. Cheng, Y. C. (2002). Leadership and strategy. In T. Bush & L. Bell (Eds.), The principles and practice of educational management (pp ). London: Paul Chapman Publishing. Davies, B. J. & Davies, B. ( 2005 ). The dimensions of leadership: the strategic dimensions of leadership. In School leadership in the 21st century: developing a strategic approach, ( 2nd ed. ) ( pp. 7-16). London: RoutledgeFalmer. CISCO (2008). Equipping Every Learner for the 21st Century. 1992–2008 Cisco Systems. Retrieved on 5 August 2010 from Hay, L. & Foley, C. (n.d.). School libraries building capacity for student learning in 21C, Scan, 28(2), Winzenried, A. (2010). Visionary Leaders for Information. Wagga Wagga: CSU Centre for Information Studies. References