CONT799: Teacher Librarian Specialist
At a time when most students have technology readily available, the role of the librarian is more important than ever. The librarian stands as a role model for resource-based learning, embedding guided inquiry, and integrating educational technology as information and collections range from books to bytes in the virtual world. The breadth of knowledge that librarians embody places them in a leadership role in their schools. It is the teacher librarian's responsibility to model new teaching and learning strategies to support both students and teachers. They must act as leaders in a variety of issues such as resource- sharing, fair dealings, and designing spaces for collaborative learning and differentiated learners. They must be flexible and adaptable as the library learning commons (LLC) transforms to become the community learning hub of the school.
Learning Outcomes
What You Will Learn and Do
In this course, you’ll have the opportunity to
- advocate for and advance the various roles and responsibilities associated with school librarianship (including collection management, recreational reading and literacy development)
- supplement the foundational documents associated with teacher-librarianship with knowledge of current legislation
- using qualitative and quantitative evidence, judge the impact of SLLC collections, spaces and practices, especially with an anti-bias lens
- share and invite wider feedback on lesson and unit program design and delivery, incorporating innovative technology, diverse texts and inquiry models
- contribute to Canadian research on school libraries by assembling action research for a school library symposium
- work to change preconceived notions of readers, libraries and learning that may result from our unconscious biases
Assessments
Module 1
Reflect and Represent the TL Role
Module 2
Lead with Legislation, Philosophy and Key Documents
Progress Update 1
Module 3
Cultivate School Culture
Module 4
Reimagine LLC Locales
Progress Update 2
Module 5
Develop Collections Strategically
Module 6
Expand Your Program and Practices
Progress Update 3
Module 7
Share the SLLC’s Impact
Module 8
Course Culminating Task
Final Report