#SLAVConf
@slavconnects
The School Library Association of
Victoria conference “It’s a digital world,” held recently in Melbourne, was a
good opportunity to reflect on the digital environment that is shaping our
personal, work and social lives and to ask, What are the implications for us as
educators? What are the imperatives for new literacies, including digital
literacy and 21st century skills? How can international frameworks
can guide the development of digital literacy in our schools? And how can digital
devices and tools enrich the learning environment to support the development of
skills, attitudes and understandings students need to be successful, effective
citizens of the 21st century?
I had the opportunity to attend this conference and
present the keynote address. The conference was opened by Hon. James Merlino, Victorian Minister for Education and Deputy Premier. It was fascinating to hear of the
Minister’s vision for education and innovation in Victoria.
This was followed by a presentation by Mr Marco DiCesare,
Principal of Caroline Chisholm Catholic College and SLAV School Leader of the
Year 2014. Marco demonstrated his strong belief in the value school libraries
and talked about his role in the revitalization of libraries in two schools he
has led. Both speakers were inspirational and set a great tone for the
conference, asserting the important place of school libraries in education.
My presentation was “Digital literacy, 21st
century skills and information fluency.” My goal was to provide an overview of
current international research, documentation and trends regarding digital
literacy, and offer some insight into our practice at AIS.
I began with a look at our students today, the
characteristics, attitudes and understandings of the digital generation, and
international studies that add to our own observations.
A key point was the imperatives this drives for the
development of digital literacy and 21st century skills in our
schools.
I referenced some international frameworks for 21st
century learning and digital literacy.
I then spoke about the AIS libraries initiative - framework
for 21st century skills and information fluency. There was also some
discussion of the Student Research Guide that accompanies the framework, and a
look at some digital tools that can support 21st century learning. I
closed with some consideration of further implications, including assessment
and reporting of digital literacy, and the broader implications for our
(teacher librarian) profession.
I also had the opportunity to lead a workshop, “Supporting
inquiry and digital literacy through the library.” This was intended as a guide
to participants who wish to develop a (online) resource for their
school/library which supports the inquiry process and digital literacy of their
students. It focused on the process, and I provided a lot of online support
material that participants could use: clarifying purpose; considering
framework/structure; platform options; tools for students; advocacy. During the
workshop there was a lot of time provided to talk, and to look and suggested
resources online.
There was opportunity for me to learn from other
practitioners in two other concurrent workshop sessions. I heard about Joy
Burlak’s evidence-based project to teach digital literacy to Year 7 at Sunbury
Downs Secondary College. Later Wilma Kurvink showed the renovation of library
spaces at Wesley College to meet the needs of 21st century learners:
zones for collaborating, storytelling, sharing, creating, reflecting and
learning.
The closing library design panel reinforced many of the
ideas presented by Wilma, each panelist giving their particular context for library
renewal.
This was a stimulating and exciting conference. The digital environment we now work
in has redefined the role of the teacher librarian. It calls for a new skillset
and expertise. How does it shape the way we work with teachers, students,
curriculum leaders? This dialogue is taking place in school library
associations around the world, and it’s a continuing conversation we need to
have.
Our AIS framework, research guide, and other resources, can be found at http://libguides.ais.com.sg/research
Presentations and workshop notes will be accessible on the SLAV website
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