Reflection and Takeaways

REFLECTION & TAKEAWAYS

It is that time in the course to do a little self-reflection.  At this point in time my views have been broadened thanks to my UBC colleagues.  From reading each blog I have added to my own understanding of a larger definition and pupose for the library learning commons in my school, my province, and the world.

Larger World Views

Kaitlin Schellenberg shares with us this video from a Uganda library.  "Most people in rural areas have nowhere to go to access the internet.  Our target was to empower librarians with internet skills to make their lives a little bit easier.  People come to them and ask for the information. In the library you cannot not have information." (Connect Uganda, 2014).  It is clear the internet is a powerful means of communicating information and libraries are the hub of larger communities than even a school community.  Having traveled to Africa, Kaitlin was a true reliable source for the power of the internet in third world countries. "With more pressing matters in third world countries, Internet access doesn’t seem to be a priority. I feel they do not want to spend millions of dollars running wires and cables across the country like they do here in Canada. It is cheaper for these countries to have a hub (public libraries) where people can come and have access to Internet." (Schellenberg, 2019).  Sometimes in Kelowna it seems like everyone has their own personal devices and easy access to them.  It is humbling to know people must travel to a hub to access valuable information.

Professional Development

This year I have decided to try to simplify and streamline my goals and my practice.  That is much easier said than done in an LLC when working with many teachers and many new initiatives.  I've decided to settle in to what I have access to and become more proficient this year.  For this reason I really appreciated Macushla Myles voice around collaboration.  Collaboration is not new, but this year I have a 90 minute flex block in my schedule to teach collaboratively with teachers.  To date we have done Genius Hour, Global Read Aloud, and Adrienne Gear writing.  Inviting the teachers and students in together to work has been a unique experience with each project.  "By inviting teachers into the library learning commons space to use digital tools and resources with their classes, I am able to extend learning opportunities to the staff that is relevant to the learning goals of their students. Happily, collaboration time can be adapted to the experience and confidence level of the teacher." (Myles, 2019).  The link to the six models of teaching was exactly what I needed to read in that moment. "Knowing the pros and cons of the six models of co-teaching can help teachers determine which one is best for a given lesson." (Cassel, 2019).   As I continue to co-plan and collaboratively teach it is nice to know there is not a one size fits all model.

Networking

When talking about networking I have realized that twitter has been an untaped source for me.  In keeping with my goal of becoming better at what I already have access to though, Twitter has been a valuable source of information.  My Twitter account is not for personal social media.  I use it to garner information about libraries, upcoming events, and for inspiration.  I, like Natalee, have no problems spending time on Instagram. "The big thing I have learned about myself these past few weeks is that I can do anything!  Another thing that I already knew about myself is that I need to work on my time management.  This time, adding parenting to the mix.  One thing I always find time for is Instagram." (Olsen, 2019).  Time management with a family is paramount.  Sometimes my overall screen time on my phone says 4 hours.  How is that possible?  Taping in to a source I am already connected to is helping me to network and find inspiration from my colleagues.  

Reading Culture

When I tackled my own blog post around the reading culture in my school I spoke about all of the awesome things we were doing to highlight reading.  What I loved about Sarah Coull's response was that it was a philosophy shift.  Developing an independent life long reader meant fostering an environment that encouraged a wild reader.  A reader that took books with them to turn to in a quiet moment.  A reader that could not wait to pick up their book. "This week’s Inquiry topic brought me back to one of my favourite inspirational teaching books, Donalyn Miller’s Reading in the Wild. Miller’s book explores what makes passionate, lifelong, committed readers – what Miller calls, “wild readers”. This book is a roadmap for teachers seeking to foster enduring and positive reading behaviours in students." (Coull, 2019).  I have purchased the book and this philosophy has resonated with me and changed my perception of reading in the classroom.  If this hasn't been a successful cycle of learning then I don't know what is!

Retrieved from Pinterest

References

Cassel, S. (2019).  How to choose a co-teaching model.  Edutopia.  Retrieved from:https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-choose-co-teaching-model

Connect Uganda.  (2014).  Why empowering public libraries with technology is so important. Retrieved from: https://schell03.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-multifaceted-role-of-information.html

Coull, S. (2019). Thoughts on Learning Commons, Inquiry and Literacy.  Raising a rockin' reading culture.  Retrieved from: https://bookroomdragon.blogspot.com/2019/10/inquiry-blog-post-1-raising-rockin.html

Myles, M. (2019). The Library Edit. Teachers need differentiation too.  Retrieved from: https://thelibraryedit.blogspot.com/2019/10/teachers-need-differentiation-too.html

Olsen, N.  (2019).  A Catalogue of Thoughts.   Hashtag, hashtag, hashtag!  Retrieved from: https://nataleesthoughtcatalogue.blogspot.com/2019/10/hashtag-hashtag-hashtag.html

Schellenberg, K. (2019).  LIBE 477.  The multifaceted role of information and communication.  Retrieved from: https://schell03.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-multifaceted-role-of-information.html