I have been reflecting on how we can be innovative in our role as Teacher Librarians and was surprised that we can innovative without having to do much at all.
I read about
Educational Technology Leadership as an example of innovation in teaching,
As would be aware, students need to learn how to use technology wisely i.e. digital citizenship.
How can we express it?
- Remind students that use of technology in the classroom is a privilege. It can be taken away if not used correctly.
- Monitor student use of technology. If I see someone using technology incorrectly, I remind them of the real purpose, especially if it is a learning task.
- Involve students in the basic upkeep of devices e.g. library monitors checking out/returning devices and ensuring that they are charged.
One element however was missing in that article and it relates to etiquette and expressing appropriate behaviours when using technology. As educational leaders, we also need to role model appropriate behaviours when using technology. If we don't role model our behaviour, students may end up using technology in an unsafe and inappropriate manner.
For example I have applied this when speaking to students about copyright issues associated with the downloading and viewing of eBooks and eAudiobooks. For instance a person should delete the mp4 files associated with a borrowed eAudiobook. I am surprised that eAudiobooks provided by libraries can easily be copied and reproduced.
But what about in the research process? How can we apply it?
There is so much information out there so we need to tell the students how they should approach research. Consider the following:
- Teaching advanced search skills on Google.
- Website evaluation e.g. usefulness, purpose, currency of information
- Locations to obtain information e.g. State Library of NSW databases.
- Accessing the Library catalogue from home.
- Recording and citing information sourced from an electronic location.
