Flexible Scheduling Improving Student Learning Through Expanded Use of the Library Media Center Library Media Center Mr. Brown's class enters Mrs. Smith's class leaves

What is your definition of FIXED SCHEDULING FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING Finding Common Ground What is your definition of FIXED SCHEDULING FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING

Defining Fixed Scheduling Library scheduling that uses auxiliary subjects (art, music, p.e., library) to provide release time for teachers. Classes are scheduled into the library media center by the principal or his/her designee. Classes meet weekly with little or no time for additional library work.

Defining Fixed Scheduling Little, if any, correlation between library instruction and classroom instruction Little, if any, instructional collaboration between classroom teachers and media specialist.

Does your schedule look something like this?

Defining Flexible Scheduling Library schedule created by teachers and library media specialist. Library instruction is directly related to classroom instruction. Classroom learning and library learning are reinforced. Instructional collaboration between teachers and media specialist is increased and made easier.

What the research tells us about Flexible Scheduling encourages collaborative planning encourages team teaching encourages greater integration of library media program in school curriculum fosters student transfer of learning of information-seeking skills recognizes media specialist as a teaching professional

What the research tells us about Flexible Scheduling Instructional role of library media specialist shapes academic achievement Instructional role of library media specialist predicts test performance of students Requires support from administration and from classroom teachers Students whose library media specialists were also instructional partners with the classroom teachers tend to achieve higher average test scores.

What the research tells us about Flexible Scheduling Where principals expected collaboration between teachers and media specialist the library media programs were more integrated into the curriculum Where media specialist planned with teams of teachers (either by department or grade level) more curriculum integration occurred. Students whose library media specialists were also instructional partners with the classroom teachers tend to achieve higher average test scores.

What flexible scheduling provides for you and your students Access to library media specialist and resources at point of information need Partnership in planning and teaching between teacher and library media Information skills (21st Century skills) taught as part of overall curriculum Transfer of learning

A "True" Flexible Schedule

Rigid schedule masquerading as flexible Week of September 18-22, 2006

Rigid schedule masquerading as flexible Week of September 25-29, 2006

What are the advantages of a flexible schedule? Responsive to needs of classes and individual members of the educational community Responsive to teacher function and to individual student use Provides access for all members of educational community

What are the advantages of a flexible schedule? Adapts use of media center to changing needs of classroom instruction Provides structure and opportunity for class interaction and large group instruction Allows media center to function as the school resource and information center

What are the disadvantages? Necessitates establishment of guidelines for independent student use Necessitates establishment of guidelines for scheduling of classes Can be more demanding on media specialist's time than fixed scheduling

Making flexible scheduling work is everyone’s responsibility

What is the media specialist's role? To develop a program enabling the classroom teacher to meet curriculum goals To assist students in identifying and locating materials selecting proper materials using, understanding, and applying information

What is the media specialist's role? creating, producing, or presenting information developing an interest in and appreciation of literature To plan and teach with teachers integrating media center/information seeking skills into curriculum To plan with teachers for follow-up activities

What is the media specialist's role? To plan and implement reading and literature appreciation activities To perform administrative and technical functions which support services to educational community To plan and implement with teachers activities supporting classroom curriculum

What is the teacher's role? Provide support for media center program with students, parents, faculty, and community Plan thematic units, research projects, enrichment activities, literature appreciation activities with media specialist

What is the teacher's role? Ensure that students have a need for the information/services of the library media center Schedule class to use media center at time of need for research, reading, etc., projects Provide input to media specialist on additional resources for media center collection

What is the teacher's role? Accompany class to media center when activities include entire class

What is the principal's role? Express commitment to philosophy of "flexible scheduling" Interpret to faculty and staff the library media program's importance and relation to school's instructional program

What is the principal's role? Monitor use and scheduling of media center to ensure equity of access Support library media program with students, teachers, parents, and community Provide time in school schedule for joint planning by teachers and media specialist

What is the principal's role? Make scheduling classes in the media center the responsibility of the teacher and media specialist Ensure that teacher remain with the class during class time in the media center Encourage wide use of media center and its resources in support of the curriculum

What is the role of the district administration? Provide support of media center programs with students, parents, teachers, and community Expressed commitment to concept of "flexible scheduling" Support collaborative planning by media specialists and classroom teachers

What is the role of the district administration? Make scheduling classes in the media center the responsibility of the teacher and media specialist Ensure that teacher remain with the class during class time in the media center

I schedule time with the library media specialist to collaboratively plan instructional units. Weekly Monthly Once each 9 weeks Never I work with the library media specialist to incorporate information literacy/research skills into my curriculum. I work with the library media specialist to incorporate technology skills instruction into my curriculum. I work with the library media specialist to incorporate literacy instruction and reading promotion into my classroom curriculum. I provide the library media specialist with my long-range plans for the school year. Yes No I keep the library media specialist informed about changes to my long-range plans.

The library media center is an integral part of the school-wide reading program. 1 2 3 4 The library media center is an integral part of my reading program. The media center program is an integral part of the school’s instructional program. The media center program is an integral part of my instructional program. I participate in staff development sessions, workshops, and/or courses offered through the library media center. I do not feel comfortable balancing curriculum content standards with information literacy (research) and appropriate technology. I use the technology available in the media center as part of my instructional program. I feel comfortable in asking for assistance from the media center staff. My students feel comfortable asking for assistance from the media center staff. I keep abreast of new media center resources, activities, and services through frequent visits to the media center, talking with the media specialist, and reading the media center newsletter. I use the media center on a regular basis. I value the knowledge and assistance I receive from the media specialist. I value and use the professional collection available in the media center.

Some considerations What services would you like provided to your students on an on-going basis that are not possible now with a fixed schedule? Which areas of your curriculum will best integrate information literacy skills (21st Century skills) instruction and literature promotion programs?

YOUR library program must Prepare students to independently access, evaluate, and use information Be a critical instructional area to teach information skills as an integral part of the classroom curriculum Be fully integrated into the overall instructional program of the school

Questions? Concerns? Clarification?

Suggestions and Recommendations Begin planning now for 2011-2012 Decide on total flex or partial flex Establish collaborative planning times for remainder of 2010-2011 to Review curriculum Look for obvious areas of collaboration for planning and instruction Review collection Establish plans for updating collection to fully support curriculum

Suggestions and Recommendations Begin planning now for 2011-2012 Include your district library coordinator in planning Principal or AP should be part of planning team Request assistance from SCDE Talk with other schools who have successfully implemented flexible scheduling

Martha Alewine State Contact for School Libraries 100 Merrywood Rd Martha Alewine State Contact for School Libraries 100 Merrywood Rd. Greenwood, SC 29649 malewine@ed.sc.gov 864-229-4230 http://scschoollibraries.pbworks.com