Librarians and Technology
The
21st-century learner has very different needs and goals in education
than those of learners even ten short years ago. This change has occurred, in large part,
because of the advances in technology and the ways we access and use
information. The AASL’s Standards for the 21st-Century Learner (2007)
detail these changes while giving guidelines for schools to use to help make
sure these new needs are met. It is critical to the future success of students and the continuation of a capable workforce that technology be implemented and taught responsibly in schools today. The five
common beliefs and four goals that the AASL proposes that schools and school
librarians should have for students all revolve around the ways they use and
apply technology to create and communicate knowledge (Johnston, 2013). The AASL organizes the information in this
publication in a clear, concise and easy to read and understand format without
getting lost in the enormity of the subject.
Within each of the four goals, the AASL details the critical skills,
attitudes, responsibilities and self-assessments students must learn to be a
successful citizen and learner.
The most important component of success
for the AASL’s plan is clearly the great need for empowered and knowledgeable
teachers and librarians to embrace and implement these standards. Johnston (2012) tells us that school
librarians should work with students AND their teachers to develop theses
skills. Teacher librarians “…have a
vital role to play in making certain that students develop the 21st
century skills that will enable them to use technology as a tool for learning
and for participating in a digital culture” (p. 18). The biggest factor she found that enabled
librarians to act as leaders in this capacity was support. Support is needed from principals, district
administrators, fellow librarians, professional organizations and the teachers
and technologists in their schools (Johnston, 2012). Her research proves that a community with
common goals working together can accomplish great things!
The school librarian should be the glue
for this diverse group. Librarians are
in a unique position. This “integration
of technology into the curricular areas [is ] where school librarians, based on
their knowledge of pedagogical principles and school curriculum, technology
expertise, and collaborative experience, can serve as leaders and valuable
assets to their schools” (Johnston, 2013, p. 71). Librarians have the best of both worlds- the
knowledge of the big picture and the experience in the trenches- and are
invaluable to a school’s technological plan.
As such, they should be a vital and easily utilized information source
for new tools of ALL kinds as well as hardware/software tricks and fixes for
staff. They should be the hunter and
gatherers of information and trends that teachers need in order to keep
students engaged. What librarians do is
important! Their work will help to
create technologically ethical and literate citizens who have a high capacity
for learning and working in this new age.
References
American
Association of School Librarians (AASL). (2007). Standards for the 21st-century
learner. Chicago, IL:
American Library Association. Retrieved from
http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_Learnin
g_Standards_2007.pdf
Johnston, M. (2012). Connecting Teacher Librarians For
Technology Integration Leadership. School
Libraries
Worldwide, 18(1), 18-33.
Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2062/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=lls&AN=70862329&scope=site
Johnston, M.
P. (2013). School librarian + technology specialist. Knowledge Quest, 42(1), 70-75. Retrieved from
http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2062/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tfh&AN=90230631&scope=site
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