THE TEACHER-LIBRARIAN AND STRATEGIC CHANGE

Towards 21C learning in a 21C school

Intended Audience and outcomes

Audience: School principals Deputy/Assistant Principals, Head Teachers

Outcomes of the article: Revise/summarize the concept and learning benefits of a 21st

century pedagogy Establish/reassert the 21c school library and its teacher librarian

as the linchpin of the 21C school Summarize/synthesize the critical elements of strategic planning

and change management in moving towards this goal Advocate the role and unique skills of the t/l in leading the

vision/change towards a 21C school

Schools have not kept abreast of the changes in society and the education system is struggling to engage students. 

Education has not adapted to the needs of employers and schools need to prepare students for employment by teaching

them the skills they need. 

The Challenge

The 21C curriculum embraces shifts in both learning and learners, namely:• new literacies, especially information, digital and media,• media savvy and connected students with a preference to learn by doing; and• a contested and constructed approach to knowledge.

What is a 21C curriculum?

Asselin, M. & Doiron, R. ( 2008 ). Towards a transformative pedagogy for school libraries 2.0. [ Electronic version ] School libraries worldwide 14(2), 1-18.

Problem Solving, Decision Making, Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Negotiation, Intellectual Curiosity, and the ability to find, select, structure, and evaluate information. 

Employers are seeking these skills in conjunction with the tools used in the 21st Century. It is when this is considered that the above skills become complicated.

Skills needed for the 21st Century as outlined by CISCO

CISCO (2008). Equipping Every Learner for the 21st Century. 1992–2008 Cisco Systems. Retrieved     on 5 August 2010 from     http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/schoollibraries/hottopics/index.htm

The 21st century teacher-librarian …

The TL recognises the paradigm shift occurring in education and the progression toward 21st century skills. 

The TL's unique qualifications, skills and ability to lead collegially are essential to the changes needed in learning, teaching and curriculum which create opportunities for new development within institutions.  (Cheng, 2002; Cisco, 2008)  

Cheng, Y. C. (2002). Leadership and strategy. In T. Bush & L. Bell (Eds.), The principles and practice of     educational management (pp. 61-69). London: Paul Chapman Publishing.

CISCO (2008). Equipping Every Learner for the 21st Century. 1992–2008 Cisco Systems. Retrieved     on 5 August 2010 from     http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/schoollibraries/hottopics/index.htm

The 21st century library …

The 21st Century library should be a multifunctional facility, which is both a flexible and stimulating environment administered by a creative and collaborative TL and the hub of a successful 21st century school community.  ( Noah and Brickman, as cited in Hay & Foley, 2009.)

Hay, L. & Foley, C. ( 2009 ). School libraries building capacity for student learning in 21C, Scan, 28(2),     17-26.

Teacher-librarians aim to…

Harness students’ existing abilities to utilise and problem solve using technological tools. 

Teach creative, critical thinking and lifelong learning skills using technology and its tools.

A strategic approach for planning and change must be adopted if there is to be any chance of success. Strategic approaches •are focused on moving the school towards a simple, clearly stated 21st century vision•align and unify actions and people towards these goals•seek critical intervention points for achieving change. ( Beare, 2001 )

Operating strategically

Beare, H. (2000). Creating the future school. London: RoutledgeFalmer.

Beyond ‘good’

Strategic leadership surpasses 'good' leadership in that it comprises a distinct set of behaviours and personal attributes. 

It is responsive: able to learn from new information and flexible enough to respond and adapt. ( Davies & Davies, 2005 ). 

Davies, B. J. & Davies, B. ( 2005 ). The dimensions of leadership: the strategic dimensions of    leadership. In School leadership in the 21st century: developing a strategic approach, ( 2nd ed. )     ( pp. 7-16). London: RoutledgeFalmer.

A simplified strategic process( adapted from Balnaves, P. ( 1996 ). In Strategic planning guide for self-managed schools. Deakin, ACT.:

NCIS )

Information has changed and it has been the TL that has needed to embrace the 21st century tools. 

It is for this reason that the TL is positioned to guide the school through the changes needed to prepare students for employment in the 21st century.

The teacher-librarian as leader in strategic change towards 21st century school

The TL understands the needs of the clients and is able to transfer their existing knowledge of 21st Century tools and learning to a whole school environment. 

It is with an understanding of the client's needs that purpose can be given to the change needed to create a 21st century school.

The issues are not unique to one school, but global. At a local level the TL can implement strategies that are adapted from experience.

It is through increased engagement that students will be able to develop skills required to survive the ever-changing 21st century. 

Technology must be used to support the teaching and learning of the 21C curriculum, not as an answer to engage students.

"...influence, to motivate those around you and to take them where they have never gone before- is the very essence of visionary information leadership. Balancing resources against future needs and goals remains a constant preoccupation with most of those working in libraries today.” (Winzenried, 2010).Winzenried, A. (2010).  Visionary Leaders for Information. Wagga Wagga: Centre for Information Studies.

Asselin, M. & Doiron, R. ( 2008 ). Towards a transformative pedagogy for school libraries 2.0. [ Electronic version ] School libraries worldwide 14(2), 1-18.

Balnaves, P. (1996). Appendix C. In Strategic planning guide for self-managing schools (pp. 76-88).     Deakin, A.C.T.: National Council of Independent Schools. Beare, H. (2000). Creating the future school. London: RoutledgeFalmer.

Cheng, Y. C. (2002). Leadership and strategy. In T. Bush & L. Bell (Eds.), The principles and practice of     educational management (pp. 61-69). London: Paul Chapman Publishing. Davies, B. J. & Davies, B. ( 2005 ). The dimensions of leadership: the strategic dimensions of    leadership. In School leadership in the 21st century: developing a strategic approach, ( 2nd ed. )     ( pp. 7-16). London: RoutledgeFalmer.

CISCO (2008). Equipping Every Learner for the 21st Century. 1992–2008 Cisco Systems. Retrieved     on 5 August 2010 from     http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/schoollibraries/hottopics/index.htm

Hay, L. & Foley, C. ( 2009 ). School libraries building capacity for student learning in 21C, Scan, 28(2),     17-26. Winzenried, A. (2010).  Visionary Leaders for Information. Wagga Wagga: Centre for Information Studies.

References