ETL 501: Assignment 2: Part 2: Critical Reflection

I created a pathfinder for Year 5, based on the Science understanding – ‘The Earth is part of a system of planets orbiting around a star’ (Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2013). It is worthwhile considering the curricular context of the pathfinder, the information literacy skills it aims to develop, an analysis of my learning through the development process and how it relates to my potential role as a teacher librarian.

The focus of the pathfinder was specifically on information about the solar system. The information on the home page was included to provide a context for student learning, which alongside with the sharing of outcomes is essential to meaningful learning (Pardoe, 2009, p. 35). The provision of resources in this pathfinder is aimed at enabling students, regardless of reading or cognitive level, to locate, identify and classify facts about planets. These resources can then be used by students to apply, analyse and evaluate the information they have selected. This incorporation of higher order thinking skills into the use of the pathfinder provides for curriculum differentiation and scaffolding (Conklin, 2010, p. 80). The focus is not on there being a ‘correct’ planet to choose but on what information they locate, select and evaluate to support their judgment.

This is the first time that I have created a pathfinder utilising readability tools and website evaluation criteria. The use of these tools was eye opening. One of the best aesthetically designed and age appropriate websites, Planets for Kids (2014), was eliminated after my reliability criteria ascertained it was published by a 9 year old and his father, with no reference as to where they source their information. The search process was time consuming, with most websites unsuitable due to visual organisation and/or reading level. Through my frustration, I realised how significantly knowledge of scientific vocabulary contributes to student understanding (ACARA, 2013b). That by making a glossary an integral part of the search process, many of the previously inaccessible pages became accessible to students at a Year 5 reading level.

My learning of effective search strategies (Ferdinand, 2014, July 28 & August 17) enabled me to target more appropriate resources using boolean strategies and search filters, especially for locating images with non-commercial usage rights. Admittedly, I am still most comfortable with Google (2012) as my preferred search option, rather than employing the effective search habit of utilising more than one search engine (Boswell, n.d.) and must consciously address this if I am to further develop my web search expertise.

Access to the Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS) (Education Services Australia, 2013) from ETL 503 was vital for me to source potential resources in Australian school libraries. While I find both the search and filtering options of SCIS limited in their capacity, inclusion of reviews from Horn Book (2014) and School Library Journal (SLJ, 2014) were helpful in determining the appropriateness of materials for upper primary students. Google book preview links from SCIS also enabled me to see sample text for the assessment of reading levels.

A role of the teacher librarian is to support teachers explicitly teach information literacy skills within the context of a teaching and learning program (Australian School Library Association (ASLA), 2009). Through providing websites and print resources that have already been scrutinized for suitability, this should theoretically, allow both teachers and students to focus on development of skills to navigate, read and view subject specific texts and how to use the features of both print and online non-fiction texts. However, the one difficulty I encountered was not having a particular group of students or teachers to develop this pathfinder for, therefore having to ‘create’ a purpose (Combes, B. 2014). Without knowledge of current skills, understandings and prior knowledge to build on, it is difficult to evaluate whether this pathfinder is adequately tailored to meet the authentic learning needs and abilities of the students (ASLA, 2014).

This semester has contributed to strengthening my understanding of why Kaplan (2007) describes the teacher librarian as information specialist, media specialist, teacher and instructional partner. Learning how to build integrated library media programs like this pathfinder, ulitising effective search strategies and applying website criteria has taught me skills for effectively resourcing curriculum programs. Not only is it a useful tool for the development of information literacy skills, but I also see how it can be an effective pathway towards fostering collaborative partnerships for the benefit of student learning outcomes (Department of Education W.A., 2014).    

I am aware that I currently lack sufficient knowledge for creating a pathfinder that competently meets the needs for disability access (Conway, 2013). This critical learning about equitable access to technology is one that I must follow up and learn more about if I am to resource programs effectively (ASLA, 2014b).

Finding ways to support teachers in developing information literacy skills is one of our core roles as teacher librarians. Creating this pathfinder was a very practical and informative process about how to integrate information resources, technology and student learning across the curriculum.

Reference list

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2013). The Australian curriculum v7.2: Science Foundation to Year 10. In The Australian Curriculum v7.2. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/science/curriculum/f-10?layout=1#level5

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2013b). The Australian curriculum v7.2: Science: General capabilities. In The Australian Curriculum v7.2. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/science/general-capabilities

Australian School Library Association (ASLA). (2009). Statement on information literacy skills. Retrieved from http://www.asla.org.au/policy/information-literacy.aspx

Australian School Library Association (ASLA). (2014). Resource based learning curriculum. Retrieved from http://www.asla.org.au/policy/resource-based-learning-curriculum.aspx

Boswell, W. (nd). Seven habits of highly effective websearchers. In About.com. Retrieved from http://websearch.about.com/od/searchingtheweb/a/sevenhabits.htm

Combes, B. (2014). Websites – educational criteria [ETL501 Module 3.2] Retrieved October 16, 2014 from Charles Sturt University website http://interact.csu.edu.au/portal/site/ETL501_201460_W_D/page/ed66640c-a2e3-4af9-00ec-4c9a7ccf147a

Conklin, W. (2010). Applying Differentiation Strategies: Teacher’s Handbook for Grades 3-5. (Ebook). Retrieved from Ebook Library http://reader.eblib.com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/(S(ipvafkgfgp5mnlpl14ha0zpe))/Reader.aspx?p=828267&o=476&u=aoHf2ZhPStVrnmuSzkXAuA%3d%3d&t=1413562423&h=CCD1AD18AFE705F818003842DC4B285891C9251B&s=27296826&ut=1443&pg=1&r=img&c=-1&pat=n&cms=-1&sd=2#

Conway, V. (2013). Experts in website accessibility. Retrieved September 26, 2014, from Charles Sturt University website http://interact.csu.edu.au/portal/site/ETL501_201460_W_D/page/72b2cbc2-e7f7-482d-00d6-079c117c89ce

Department of Education WA. (2014). School library support: Role of library and staff. Retrieved from http://det.wa.edu.au/curriculumsupport/schoollibrarysupport/detcms/navigation/supporting-learning/role-of-library-and-staff/?oid=Category-id-11911810

Education Services Australia (2103). Schools Catalogue Information Service (SCIS). Retrieved from http://www2.curriculum.edu.au/scis/home.html

Ferdinand, J. (2014, July 28). Rainforest task using boolean strategies (ETL 501). Retrieved from http://thetalesofatravellinglibrarian.blogspot.ca/2014/07/rainforest-task-using-boolean-strategies.html

Ferdinand, J. (2014, August 17). How Google-savvy are you? (ETL 501). Retrieved from http://thetalesofatravellinglibrarian.blogspot.ca/2014/08/how-google-savvy-are-you.html

Google. (2013). Google Canada. Retrieved from https://www.google.ca

Kaplan, A. G. (2007). Is Your School Librarian ‘Highly Qualified’?. Phi Delta Kappan. 89(4), 300-303

Pardoe, D. (2009). Towards successful learning (ebook). Retrieved from Ebook Library.

Planetsforkids.org. (2014). Planets for kids – free astronomy network for kids. Retrieved from http://www.planetsforkids.org/page-about_us.html

SLJ. (2014). School Library Journal. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com

The Horn Book. (2014). The horn book – publications about books for children and young adults. Retrieved from http://www.hbook.com

A school library blog (ETL 501)

I think a school library blog, easily accessed from your school's website page is a wonderful idea because:

• it promotes the pivotal and essential role of the school library. 
• educates the whole school community about the function and role of the school library beyond 'borrowing books'. 
• provides an easy way for library communication to be delivered to students, staff and parents. 

One of the challenges that I think could be faced:

• time to maintain the blog. 
• a blog like this would only be useful if it was actively used on a weekly / daily basis, to ensure that staff, students and parents see it as a useful source of information, continually updated and relevant to the school community.

Looking through a number of websites of school's from my teaching district back home, I was surprised to note that on many of the school websites, the library is rarely mentioned. There seems to be no active promotion of the role of the library within the school. I think this emphasises a few things:

• lack of recognition from school executive as to the role and function of the school library beyond it's 'convenience' for supplying RFF. 
• the need for qualified school librarians in school libraries (I know that there is a high percentage of non-qualified librarians working in my teaching district school libraries). 
• the need for the teacher librarian to actively promote the role and function of the school library through links from the school's webpage to a school library blog. 

How Google-savvy are you? (ETL 501)

I thought I was net-savvy and competent at searching for information. As I work my way through my Masters in Teacher Librarianship, I am learning that my Internet capabilities are not quite what I thought them to be. It now appears, after having explored tutorials and you-tube videos, that I was not quite as search savvy as I thought, and that there is actually a whole lot more to search engines such as Google than I ever imagined.

Like many people, I automatically go to Google when wanting to search for something on the net. I know there are many different search engines available, but I have to admit, that I find Google reliable, comfortable and easy to use. Occasionally, I will search for results past the first page.  More often than not though, I will refine my search results simply through rephrasing my search terms. I have frequently employed just basic search tools to locate my information.

The Google tutorials located at Google search education (http://www.google.com.au/insidesearch/searcheducation/training.html) contain a number of tutorials that can enhance your knowledge, skills and understanding in using the numerous search functions that Google has to offer. While I was familiar with the use of the advanced search option, I was quite ignorant of the search operators can be employed on the basic search page. Functions such as locating exact phrases, specific links, sites, filetypes and number ranges all contribute to making your search more refined and targeted. Instead of a results list in the millions, you can refine your search results down to hundreds, locating the websites and information that directly meet your search needs. Being familiar with these operators and actively employing them in your search, makes you a much more efficient and critically literate search engine user. A full list of Google search operators can be found here https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/136861, a worthwhile link to keep handy, as well as this one https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/2466433 that explains how punctuation and symbols are used in a Google search.

Google also provides a range of search filter tools on the basic search page as well as for criteria based search pages such as Google maps and Google images. These search tools enable you to specify key information such as date range, reading level and specific country. You can filter images through size, colour and usage rights; videos for duration, quality and source.

There are now a range of Google products available that can be used to enhance your online search experience from specialized search operators such as Google scholar for academic search, to home and office capabilities with operators such as Google Drive (create, share, keep all your stuff in one place). Taking the time to work through some of the Google search education tutorials can build your skills very quickly, helping to guide through the range of Functions and tools these Google products provide.

Taking the time also, to explore other search engines and their capabilities (there is a great list of alternative search engines here http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/adviceengine.html)
can be useful to, especially in pinpointing a search engine that works best for  your colleagues / your students and their information search needs. 

One thing is for sure – there is a wealth of information out there waiting for us to find it. Understanding the tricks of the trade – the tools that are in place to help us be efficient navigators of the internet - is key knowledge that all net users, librarians or otherwise, should be employing with every search that we do.

Should we abandon reference material? (ETL 501)

The leather bound, gold plated Encyclopædia Britannica’s that graced the shelves in our family living room were a treasured item. An expensive acquisition, bought by parents who felt it important to have good quality reference materials on hand at home to support the years of homework and projects faced when raising four children. Nestled next to them, were the 6 volumes of an Australia specific encyclopedia set, several dictionaries and a thesaurus, several atlases and other reference materials. We used theses volumes with reverence, searching out information we needed for school, and occasionally reading them out of pleasure and a quest for personal knowledge.

Then the internet arrived, and with it the demise of status of those beloved tomes of knowledge and fact. The immediacy of the internet meant that when facts were changed, those facts could be changed instantaneously on the internet. So when Pluto officially lost its planetary standing, its change in status could be and was in many places online, changed with some immediacy - unlike the encyclopedias on our shelves, gathering dust and still championing Pluto as the 9^th planet in our solar system. 

The idea of traditional reference materials gracing the shelves of our studies and libraries has been undergoing significant change over the past decade. Traditional definitions of what constitutes reference materials include texts such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases, bibliographies, biographies, directories, indexes etc. I would argue that there does remain a place for materials of this sort in our libraries. What should be considered is what form those reference materials take and how library users are able to access those materials. The immediacy in be able to update information rapidly, has quickly led to the poor old printed encyclopedia becoming defunct – but not the premise behind it’s original use.

The definition of reference materials could be stated as:

Reference(noun) : the act of referring or consulting

Reference(noun) : a book to which you can refer to for authoritative facts

Reference (verb) : to refer to

As seekers of information, we still need information sources from which we refer to. Traditionally, reference materials were not able to be borrowed and were housed on shelves in the library. Now, much of the information contained within reference texts is freely available online. So it could be fair to say that reference materials have not been abandoned so much as having shifted format.

I think that the more significant issues facing the use of online reference materials versus traditional reference texts, is that of authority, accuracy and currency. Traditional reference materials were produced through qualified / experienced authors / editors. They contained reputable sources of information, guaranteed to have accurate information and published by a recognized publisher.

n some ways, it could be considered that much information online is referred to, and therefore reference material. Yet it is often not easy to determine the qualifications of the authors / editors and whether the information is reputable and accurate.

Wikipedia is an example of this. While it can be considered to be reference material, being an online encyclopedia, the fact that anyone can input fact and influence the information found within its pages makes it an unreliable source for reference. It cannot be guaranteed that all information is accurate and one does not need to be qualified or experienced within a particular field to publish on its site.

‘Wikipedia is written collaboratively by largely anonymous Internet volunteers. Anyone with Internet access can write and make changes to Wikipedia articles, People of all ages, cultures and backgrounds can add or edit article prose, references, images and other media here. What is contributed is more important than the expertise or qualifications of the contributor’ (Wikimedia, 2014).

Encyclopædia Britannica, another example of online reference material, has successfully taken its print reference materials and moved them online. However unlike Wikipedia, Encyclopædia Britannica does not allow anyone to publish information on their site, continuing to value the provision of information that has accuracy, authority and currency. Encyclopædia Britannica do not consider that reference materials such as encyclopedias are no longer useful and should be abandoned. Instead they state:

‘The encyclopedia is very much alive—more than ever, in fact, in many digital forms, online and on mobile devices. It’s bigger, better, and richer than it was in print, easier to use, and, just as important, online we can nurture an entire community of learners and researchers around the Britannica and all of our content, a community where people share their knowledge with others at the same time they’re learning new things themselves. The Internet and mobile interaction create a host of new possibilities, and we’re making the most of them.

We’ve gone way beyond traditional “reference.” In today’s networked world the scholarly and intellectual work we do serves learning in many new ways. As just one example, we now create high-quality instructional products for K-12 classrooms—products like Pathways: Science, which helps teachers correct common misconceptions about science among middle-school students.

Besides great editors and scholars, our teams include instructional designers, user-experience specialists, teachers, school administrators, and others—all the people you need to make great educational products. It’s fun, and it keeps us on our toes because the markets we serve are always hungry for new and better products, and we intend to give them what they need ‘(Encyclopædia Britannica, 2014).

So no, I don’t think we are a point of abandoning reference materials at all. I think we are in a time when we have a much greater choice of reference materials that ever before, and that as teachers and teacher librarians, we need to make informed choices about what online reference materials we share, use and teach our students with, always espousing the importance of authority, accuracy and currency.

Encyclopædia Britannica (2014). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com

Wikimedia Foundation (2014). Wikipedia:About in Wikipedia the free encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:About

Rainforest task using boolean strategies (ETL 501)

"A new and inexperienced geography teacher has arrived in your school and has been given the task of teaching a year 7 class on rainforests as part of the Global Environments Focus Area. List 3 key types of information this teacher might need and suggest a source of information – this does not need to be exact, such as a URL, but more general such as ‘an article on’ or ‘a website about". 

'Young people rely heavily on search engines to access information' (Coombes, 2008, p.33) with their 'information seeking behaviour based on simple keyword searches' (p.37), trusting search engine results and believing those results to be the most relevant and authoritative (p. 37). With a limited exposure to explicit teaching of information seeking skills, students are often 'being left to learn their informatoion-seeking skills on their own through experimentation' (p. 38). 

If we imagine that both the teacher's and students skills fall into the above category, then what can we expect from the above task?

Initially, we could expect that both students and teacher would begin their information search of rainforests with a google search, beginning initially with the simple term 'rainforest'  which brings up this first page of results.  

This first page of results firstly brings ups advertisements, a side panel of images and the top search result is wikipedia. It does bring up a couple of useful and student friendly websites that would be helpful with a generic overview of rainforests and do provide information about the accuracy / authenticity of the information provided. Wikipedia as the top link lends itself to class discussion about it's prominent position versus its accuracy and reliability. 

Teaching both staff and students to use boolean search terms, will enable them to narrow their search to more relevant information. 

For example using boolean search term AND, a more specific search can be made. 

In the search engine Google, Rainforest AND Global Environment AND Issues produced the following results. 

This more specific search did produce 1 million more results, but did provide links through to scholarly articles. 

Adding a further term Rainforest AND Global Environment AND Issues AND kids provides links to more student friendly sites. 

It is interesting to note that whenever you add kids as a boolean search term, the ads disappear from the top of the search list - so a good pointer to use with students for all google searches. 

Also useful to teach both teachers and students is that using a dash - attached to the front of a word will eliminate websites with those terms. 

Using 

'rainforests AND teacher resources AND Australia' 

still produced websites from both the USA and UK. However using 

'rainforests AND teacher resources AND Australia -USA -UK' 

produced a list that is Australia focused. 

Also teaching the use of parentheses for combining search terms. 

EG rainforests AND teacher resources AND (Australia OR New Zealand) -USA -UK

Taking the time to teach teachers and students how to use these boolean terms will ensure they can use the Google search engine more efficiently, refine their search strategies and improve their current information searching behaviours (Coombes, p. 34). 

References

Combes, B. (2009). Generation Y: Are they really digital

natives or more like digital refugees? Synergy, 7(1), 31-40. Retrieved July 2014, from http://www.slav.schools.net.au/synergy/vol7num1/coombes.pdf

Google (2014). Google. Retrieved from https://www.google.ca