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Spring 2003 - eLearning
QTP Digital
Literacy for Teacher-librarians program
Sandy Phillips
This ambitious cross-sectoral program, administered jointly by the Victorian
Department of Education and Training, and the Catholic Education Office,
gained funding through the Commonwealth Government Quality Teacher Program
which is an initiative offering targeted professional development for
teachers in priority areas. Teachers and teacher-librarians needing assistance
in the establishment of information literacy programs, in particular in
the area of digital information and technology, were targeted. The program
was open to all teacher-librarians in Government, Catholic and Independent
Schools. The aim was to offer them the skills to take on a leadership
role within their schools developing information literacy in students,
other teachers and school leaders.
The specific goals of the program were to:
-increase the level of information literacy across schools via provision
of professional development to teachers and teacher-librarians
-facilitate greater understanding among school leaders of the pivotal
role teacher-librarians play in an education environment increasingly
influenced by online information
-encourage a stronger emphasis on teacher-librarians providing crucial
curriculum implementation support as opposed to more operational activities
-provide a mechanism for updating the skills of existing teacher-librarians
with regard to digital information
-establish a support network for teacher-librarians which will provide
ongoing support and professional development in a sustaining manner Outcomes
of the project will be
-development of a mentoring network to support untrained teacher-librarians
-development of a communication strategy to promote the activities of
teacher-librarians within schools, especially targeting school leaders.
-development of an online professional development resource for teacher-librarians
via a website
The participants
The program was designed to address the digital information literacy needs
of teacher-librarians who completed formal training ten or more years
ago, teachers with library responsibilities but without qualifications
in librarianship, and teachers who were re-entering the profession.
The mentors
The outstanding practice of many teacher-librarians throughout Victoria
was a rich source of knowledge and application, which became a major component
of the program.
Applications were invited from teacher-librarians throughout the state
to take on the role of mentor to a group of approximately ten colleagues
in their regional area. Both funding and training was offered to the successful
applicants who were then required to offer their professional support,
experience and expertise to their allocated group. Each mentor received
professional mentor training to support them with their work with their
group of teacher-librarians. They also established a close working relationship
which supported their mentorees learning but also extended their high
end knowledge. Many of the mentors expressed that the external recognition
that came with their selection had high impact with the raising of their
professional status being viewed by both their school communities and
peers as the highly talented professionals that they are. Thirty mentors
were appointed (two from each country region and three from metropolitan
regions). The role of the mentors has been vital in ensuring the success
of the program and allowing continuation and follow-up of the participants'
professional learning.
.
During 2003
Over 200 participants were involved in the program and attended a range
of activities. The first of these was a two-day, regional professional
development workshop addressing a range of information management, curriculum
and ICT areas where program participants met their mentors. These workshops
had the dual positives of both an intensive professional development experience
and the establishment of a local support network.
Mentors then established communication links with and between their group
members and encouraged discussion, offered support and reflection, arranged
meetings, discussed best practice and provided a day of work shadowing
for each participant in their own school library.
One group of enthusiastic teacher librarians hired a bus and travelled
from Geelong to Warrnambool to watch an outstanding school library in
action. Another mentor worked in a variety of ways to assist a group of
teacher-librarians with the establishment of their school intranet. This
mentor worked with email, phone and even made regular visits to those
teacher-librarians needing hands on support.
A Statewide Conference to celebrate the participants' achievements and
to offer further professional learning was held in July. The principals
of participants were also invited to attend. The consequence of this team
approach was an extremely stimulating and positive event and allowed school
leaders to further understand the potential of the role of their teacher
librarian.
Highlights of the day were the presentations by Dr Sheila Offman Gersh,
Shared e-learning: resourceful solutions, and Lyn Hay regarding the role
of the principal in establishing an information literate school community.
Concurrent sessions and a busy trade exhibition offered strategies and
solutions for everyone.
The website
Work is continuing on the establishment and development of the website
which can be found at <www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/elibrary/>
.
The aim of this online resource is to provide access to a range of information
to be accessed by individuals in a 'need-to-know' basis. Guidelines, frameworks
and sample documentation will be provided on a range of aspects of information
management and curriculum development and support. The website will continue
to be developed during 2004.
Keeping up the momentum in 2004
During 2004 the program will be continued with funded professional development
activities on a regional basis. Current participants have been allocated
one day's CRT coverage to ensure their continued participation and new
participants may apply to attend one of the eight regional professional
development activities which will be designed and managed by a consulting
teacherlibrarian. It is envisaged that the enthusiasm and collegial support
that has been engendered by the mentoring program will allow the mentor
groups to continue on an informal basis and that these groups will continue
to share ideas and experiences.
Schools Television has been contracted to produce and screen two programs
relating to the development of information literacy in the early and middle
years of schooling. These programs will offer practical strategies for
classroom teachers to work with teacher-librarians to enhance students'
skills in these areas. The concept and script for these programs will
be developed in conjunction with practicing teacher-librarians with the
view to a whole school approach to information literacy being adopted.
I would like to thank the program mentors, the many presenters who were
involved in the program, and in particular Chris Buhler from the Catholic
Education Office and Mary Manning from the School Library Association
of Victoria for their enormous contribution to the direction, content
and delivery of the program.
A special thanks to the mentors
Northern Metropolitan Region
Pam Mancell
Northcote High School
Anne Chowne
St. Mark's Primary School, Fawkner
Marg Catterall
St Monica's Primary School, Footscray
Southern Metropolitan Region
Kaye Hunter
St Leonard's College, Brighton
Karen Russo
John Paul College, Brighton
Rewa Jones
Our Lady of the Assumption Primary
School, Cheltenham
Eastern Metropolitan Region
Di Lester
Milgate Primary School, Doncaster
Marianne Punshon
Springview Primary School,
Nunawading
Maureen Farrell
St Scholastica's Primary School,
Bennetswood
Western Metropolitan Region
Paul Byrne
Williamstown High School
Nonie Shepherd
Maribyrnong Secondary College
Sue Maher
St Mary's Primary School, Dandenong and St Columba's Primary School, Elwood
Barwon South-Western Region
Lea Quail
The Geelong College
Louise McKee
St Joseph's Primary School, Warrnambool
Central Highlands-Wimmera Region
Denise Boyko
Ballarat North Primary School
Jan Loeliger
Horsham West Primary School
Loddon-Campaspe Mallee Region
Ruth Turpin
Echuca High School
Elizabeth Wilson
Castlemaine Secondary College
Goulburn-North Eastern Region
Ann Ware
St Mary's Primary School, Mansfield
Alan Flannigan
Ovens College, Wangaratta
Gippsland Region
Kamla Reddy
Kurnai College, Morwell
Gini Verstraaten
Mary Mackillop School, Narre Warren North
Janet Blackwell
Aquinus College, Ringwood
Sandy Phillips is the Senior Project Officer, elearning Online
Strategy Team, Department of Education and Training, Victoria.