Leading Learning through Collaboration -

Abstracts

Participants will be able to choose one workshop from each of the following sessions:

 

Keynote Address

coCreation for Powerful Teaching - The flip side of CPT

 

Dr Linda Gibson-Langford (The King's School)

Teacher librarians endeavour to bring a sharper focus to school libraries as teaching and learning environments.   This requires working with teachers and students in collaborative partnerships which in turn requires positive relationships focussed on shared knowledge and creativity.  Sometimes they hit the right mix; at other times, they may find it painful.   

From the theory of learning communities to the reality of teachers working together, Linda will highlight the enablers for establishing deep collaborative partnerships that foster knowledge creation, knowledge sharing and knowledge use.  

 

Session 1

Modelling a collaborative environment: Programming Information Literacy lessons

 

Victor Davidson (Birrong Girls High School)

For 10 years Birrong Girls High School has been running a Year 7 Information Literacy Skills Program. By integrating a matrix that includes the information skills process, genre, text types, key competencies and thinking skills, all KLA faculties have worked in the library to achieve syllabus based outcomes.  Various mechanisms and strategies encourage a collaborative approach and engineer a learning environment in which student-centred resource-based pedagogies are maximised.  The program includes an outcomes based exam and an annual report.  Since 2007 all resources are online at http://informationliteracybghs.wordpress.com. 

 

From RFF to a Flexible Library Timetable: What are the rewards and challenges?

 

Donna Arthur (Junior School Teacher Librarian, St Aloysius College)

 

This presentation does not presume to be able to give answers on how to convince a school executive to change to a flexible schedule, but it does give practical ideas and proven strategies to use to ensure that all teaching staff are onside and enthusiastic about the change when it is implemented.

 

  • the early stages of the changeover
  • how to convince teachers that working collaboratively with the teacher librarian will improve student learning
  • effective planning time
  • TL and teacher partnerships in the process of CPPT
  • dealing with reluctant teachers
  • accountability to the school executive
  • flexible vs semi-flexible timetables and what’s right for you
  • managing your management time

 

 

 

Session 2

Engaging readers through book-talks

Susan la Marca (Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School)

 

Abstract available soon

 

 

The key to unlock a quality library - collaborative planning & teaching!

Diane Johnston (Fairfield Heights Public School)

 

Strategies will include:

 

  • Promoting a constantly evolving dynamic library which will support student learning
  • Developing a culture of collaboration across schools & networks
  • The challenge of getting teachers involved & encouraging them
  • Examples of rich task teaching programs which implement Quality Teaching elements & ICT
  • Being an agent of change across the curriculum and making a difference
  • Becoming a valuable resource by enhancing connected learning & information literacy

 

This session will include a variety of practical strategies to assist teacher librarians in primary schools.


Legal Studies recommended text, Ten Years by Roseanne Catt, will be on sale after this session. This gripping account of corruption & betrayal explains how an innocent citizen was incarcerated and dealt with after standing up for the abuse of innocent children in NSW. Despite recent Supreme Court inquiries declaring her innocence, Police & the DPP have not reopened her case or provided compensation. Be on the cutting edge & buy copies to enrich your library collection. http://www.justice4roseanne.com/

 

 

 

Session 3

Collaborating to design & develop an extraordinary curriculum-related collection

Rick Susman (Booklegger)

 

Are reports of the death of the book as a library research tool greatly exaggerated?


How can we design informative & challenging non-fiction & reference collections when “it’s so much cheaper & easier to let the students use Google”?


It is possible to work with teachers & curriculum to create collections designed for a vast array of experiences in accessing, utilising & interpreting information and to access tens of thousands of reasonably priced print resources ideal for almost any curriculum purpose.


In 2008, many schools are returning to books to achieve real learning outcomes, as opposed to barely understood, manipulated digital text. Rick will discuss working with schools in Australia & Asia and the possibility of creating a feasibly funded, strong collaborative model to ensure participation of teaching staff & the students themselves in the creation of an inspiring library collection.


     

Social networking, and sharing the love.

Kerrie Smith (Assistant Manager, edna, Professional Learning & Online Communities, education.au)

 

Late last year the edna team launched http://me.edu.au, a social networking site for Australian educators whatever sector they are from. On me.edu.au educators can define an online presence, create an online professional resume, connect with educators who have similar interests, and share links and ideas. me.edu.au communities are rapidly becoming the place to be found.

Those of us who love reading are always looking for places to go to discuss the latest book we've read. Our students are no different. In a new venture this year edna has created OzProjects "moodle" at http://ozprojects.edu.au and within it there are 2 books clubs for students. MYBC caters for 10-14 years olds, and Beware of Books for 15-19 year olds. They are exciting places to go to learn about what others are reading, to post reviews and take part in discussions with online authors or to join a book rap. In addition the OzProjects moodle provides other online projects that teachers and their classes can join, as well as space for teachers to host an online project.

This session will cover these two great edna initiatives, together with some hints as to what edna is looking at next.

 

Building collaboration using a distributed leadership model within a library team

Janet Blackwell (Aquinas College)

 

Aquinas College in Ringwood, Victoria is a co-educational Catholic College of 1600 students.  Several years ago the library initiated a strategic management plan that developed a distributed leadership model where every library staff member became a leader.  This meant that all team members from teacher librarian to library technician work within the curriculum, providing both traditional and digital learning resources, in ways that have been traditionally within the role of the teacher librarian.  Internationally, this reflects a move towards looking for ways in which non teaching staff can fulfill roles normally performed by teaching staff.  There are, of course, strategies in place to ensure that non teaching members of the library team are supported in this distributed leadership role.

This has all been achieved within the same staffing levels that existed when the library followed a traditional staffing model.  It has resulted in the library standing alongside teachers as it moves from just providing curriculum support to embracing curriculum leadership.  The profile of the library has increased as the library staff has moved out to where the curriculum is being created and delivered instead of having only a small part of the curriculum coming to us.   All members of the library team have a pride in their work that is both justified and deserved as their motivation, commitment and skills have become highly regarded by the College community.


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