School library media candidates encourage reading and lifelong learning by stimulating interests and fostering competencies in the effective use of ideas and information. They apply a variety of strategies to ensure access to resources and information in a variety of formats to all members of the learning community. Candidates promote efficient and ethical information seeking behavior as part of the school library media program and its services.
Evidence: I-Search
Summary
- An I-Search is an inquiry-based research project that is designed to actively engage the student in the research process. It is based around essential questions that are developed by the student because of the student's needs or personal interests. Because of this, the student is more attentive to what is being researched as it applies to his or her own life.
Reflection
- The I-Search gave me a wealth of knowledge regarding researching techniques and skills I was unaware of, even after teaching for eight years. I had always completed research projects using the old index card method. Since that was the way I knew, I instructed my students in the method as well. I believe the learning logs that were used to complete the I-Search were much more concise and manageable than index cards. It was also enjoyable to be able to choose a topic that applied to my life.
Self-Assessment
- I loved completing this project and gained new insight into the world of online dating. I couldn't believe how many different types of online dating sites there actually were, some extremely specific as to who could join and who could not. I was also not aware that there were free online dating sites on the Internet. The interesting part for me was that my research did not conclude with the submission of this assignment. I discovered another free online dating site almost a year after completing my I-search and it was through this site that I met my husband.
Evidence: Order Objectives and Rationale ; Book List ; Presentation
Summary
- Based upon the goals, objectives, and needs of a school's library media program, resources were chosen, a purchase order was created, and a plan for processing the materials was devised.
Reflection
- This project was extremely beneficial and relevant to real life as a school's media specialist. I was able to learn and navigate through Follett's Titlewave program as this project developed. I also learned that it's important to consider the entire school population and its needs when planning how to wisely used the money budgeted for this purpose.
Self-Assessment
- Discovering titles for the purpose of adding to a media center's collection is hard work, whether you are a media specialist or not! It's difficult to look for reviews of books instead of actually having the book to look at yourself. I will definitely set up a consideration file to make it easier to order titles for my own media center's collection. During this project, I don't think I researched titles of books well enough simply because I ran out of time. That's why it will be important for me to rely on the knowledge of colleagues as well as reviews and my consideration file when deciding on resources to purchase.
Evidence: PDEP
Summary
- The Program Development and Evaluation Plan is an instrument utilized to help the media specialist focus on the needs of the media center. An effective plan is the foundation of the school's library media center covering the management policies, procedures, and principles of the media center as well as ALA and AASL standards.
Reflection
- My focus for this project was to find and formulate the legal and ethical aspects of the PDEP, as well as devise long and short term goals and objectives based upon the needs of the media center. I have become better acquainted with the inner workings of the media center, as well as developing an awareness of how important it is to have sound policies in place to protect the media specialist and media center if problems arise.
Self Assessment