The Fullan text makes it clear that there are many aspects of leadership. One of the things that he said that challenged my previous beliefs and ideas is that dissention can be the innovator of change. That is, that having people that disagree with you can be a good thing. It can lead to new ideas being presented and different 'solutions' reached.
It is not always important to have cohesion in the team. Alothough cohesion is important, dissention and disagreement is not always a negative.
Top down leadership does not promote sustainable change. Ensuring that all participants of change, those who are the 'workers' need to have their voice heard. Leaders cannot simply dictate.
Another interesting point Fullan makes is that empowerment, ownership and enthusiasm does not happen overnight. It takes time and trust must be built.
As a TL these points are of special import. One of the major roles of the TL is to work in teams with collegues and it is important for the TL to ensure that trust is built. T
hey must ensure that ownership and enthusiasm is part of all of their interactions in order to see change happen in their school. They muyst realise that people who challenge what they are doing may have ideas that will improve changes that are being sought.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
504 Leadership
Leadership must be shared. This is the key idea in the readings for this topic. If leadership is shared then change becomes sustainable.
If change is to be sustainable then leadership must be distributed. This does not mean the end of the principal and the executive. It means that the principal and executinve need to be the driving force, while empowering others through professional development, choices, flexibility and positive working relationships.
Leadership in schools cannot be the domain of the few. In order to sustain change then the impatus for change cannot leave whent he prinipcal or executive leaves.
The teacher librarian is in a unique position to provide leadership. In order to effectively fulfill their role they must work in collaboration with others. They can use these collaborations to both lead and follow change. They can be leaders by sharing in and promoting change. They can display leadership by ensuring professional development needs are being met both by leading professional development and by maintaining a print and digital collection that will meet users needs.
If change is to be sustainable then leadership must be distributed. This does not mean the end of the principal and the executive. It means that the principal and executinve need to be the driving force, while empowering others through professional development, choices, flexibility and positive working relationships.
Leadership in schools cannot be the domain of the few. In order to sustain change then the impatus for change cannot leave whent he prinipcal or executive leaves.
The teacher librarian is in a unique position to provide leadership. In order to effectively fulfill their role they must work in collaboration with others. They can use these collaborations to both lead and follow change. They can be leaders by sharing in and promoting change. They can display leadership by ensuring professional development needs are being met both by leading professional development and by maintaining a print and digital collection that will meet users needs.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
ETL501 Reference Interview
It is clear that the reference interview is of vital importance when the librarian is assisting a user to find information. It is vital to narrow down and understand the information need of the user and direct them to relevant resources both print and digital.
It is also clear that it is easier to conduct a reference interview in person and slightly harder to conduct one over the phone.
When it comes to the digital reference interview it is clear that it is a still developing concept. Some libraries allow users to contact them using general email, others use a form on the web link 'Ask a reference librarian', others still provide real time chat and discussion in order to assist users. The digital reference is time consuming and lack the personal interaction, but is a vital tool in the digital world (including for us students wh0 are not on campus and find it harder to access library services in person).
The problem likely to face teacher librarians using the digital reference interview, especially in primary schools, is that students may not be literate or computer literate, they may not have access to the internet outside of the school setting or time inside the school setting and they may not be able to adequately express their needs in written form and it may be far easier to conduct the reference interview in person.
It is also clear that it is easier to conduct a reference interview in person and slightly harder to conduct one over the phone.
When it comes to the digital reference interview it is clear that it is a still developing concept. Some libraries allow users to contact them using general email, others use a form on the web link 'Ask a reference librarian', others still provide real time chat and discussion in order to assist users. The digital reference is time consuming and lack the personal interaction, but is a vital tool in the digital world (including for us students wh0 are not on campus and find it harder to access library services in person).
The problem likely to face teacher librarians using the digital reference interview, especially in primary schools, is that students may not be literate or computer literate, they may not have access to the internet outside of the school setting or time inside the school setting and they may not be able to adequately express their needs in written form and it may be far easier to conduct the reference interview in person.
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