Developing a School Library Media Center Program

Curriculum and Instruction Research shows that school library media programs of instruction are fundamental in modern, successful schools where student learning takes place. Trend for state departments of education to adopt standards of information literacy skills based on the standards set forth in Information Power.

Curriculum and Instruction Within the Curriculum of the school the library media specialist must help students master the three basic and very necessary information skills: Access information Evaluate information Use information

Collaborative Teaching When the library media specialist works in conjunction with the classroom teacher to plan instruction the student is more likely to learn and retain the skills to access, evaluate and use information. Careful planning is fundamental to the success of a program where individual learning takes place.

Instructional Program of LMS Informal Instruction Formal Instruction Group Computer Instruction Distance Learning Collaborative Instruction Scheduling

Informal Instruction Teaching takes place spontaneously when answering an individual student’s request. Examples? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Formal Instruction Preplanned lessons before a group of students. Formal Lesson Plans: Learner objectives and goals Introduction, hook, set Presentation of material Evaluation and feedback Usually scheduled in classroom or media center where materials are available. Many lessons are available on the Internet but judgment is necessary to determine if they meet the needs of the teacher and LMS.

Group Computer Instruction Because technology is evolving so rapidly, it is imperative that students receive instruction allowing them to learn to use, access, and evaluate information on the Internet as quickly and as early as possible. Hands-on instruction is crucial. Where take place? Given by whom? E-Learning/Distance Instruction?

Collaborative Instruction Teacher and LMS plan and teach content area skills in conjunction with information literacy skills to enhance student learning. Develop partnerships with faculty Both contribute to the planning process if the collaborative lesson is to be successful.

2+2=1 Satisfy both Curriculum Needs with Collaboration Library Media Specialist Information literacy skills Content Area Teacher Subject/content standards and objectives

Information Literacy Skills Information Power: Building Partnerships for Learning Colorado State Information Literacy Standards Each information literacy standard is aligned with the structure of Colorado's K-12 Academic Standards. This creates opportunities for incorporating information literacy instruction with other subject matter being taught in the classroom. http://www.cde.state.co.us/litstandards/litstandards.htm

Developing Instructional Objectives Ask 4 questions: What do I want the student to do? Under what conditions? How will the student do it? General Guidelines Use an active verb Describe a visible activity or one that can be measured or tested in some way

ABCD Method of Writing Instructional Objectives A Audience Identify who will receive instruction Mrs. Jones 8th grade math class will be able to…

ABCD Method of Writing Instructional Objectives B Behavior Identify the behavior you expect as evidence the student has achieved the objective. What will the student be able to do at the end of the instruction that he/she can’t do now? The student will use the World Almanac to find information about city populations and put the cities in order from the least to the most populous.

ABCD Method of Writing Instructional Objectives C Condition Define the desired behavior by also describing the conditions under which the behavior will occur …within one 45 minute class period …given three web sites to choose…. …using the World Book encyclopedia

ABCD Method of Writing Instructional Objectives D Degree Specify the criteria of acceptable behavior by stating or describing how well the student must perform. What measure will you use to judge whether the student has succeeded or failed at the task/objective. …by identifying at least three cities on a map of the country…. …keeping a daily reading log of pages read…

Getting the Word Out! Publicity and the Media Center Library Promotions Student Handbooks Media Center Web Sties http://www.jcschools.org/itms/LMC%20web%20pages/index.htm http://www.k12k.com/db/academics/library/library.shtml School Newspapers Orientation In-Service, p121

Public Relations and Environment Atmosphere Displays Visibility of the Center Teachers Administrators Community

Hours, Attendance & Use Hours Scheduling Fixed Flexible

Information Power and LMC Scheduling 20 Information Power and LMC Scheduling Accommodates individual students throughout the day. Includes time for classes and/or small group visits Indicates time for collaborative planning Varies lunch and administrative time Includes opportunities to visit before and after school

Benefits of Flexible Access Teachers can take advantage of “aha” moments and send students to the media center when interest is high. Teachers can collaborate with the media specialist for lesson development and integrating the Information Literacy Standards into the classroom curriculum Students become independent users of resources Students interact with other students and teachers Students develop a sense of responsibility for their own learning