When thinking about the AASL and ISTE standards, in my mind I am hearing the song, “Let’s Get Together” from the 1961 Disney movie The Parent Trap. If you are not familiar with the movie, it tells the story of twin sisters collaborating to get their divorced parents back together. Now the AASL and ISTE standards are not matchmakers, but they do work towards a common goal. Each set of standards promotes inquiry, inclusion, collaboration, and curating.
(image from disney.fandom.com)
For school librarians, the AASL and ISTE standards go hand-in-hand, since most school librarians are also the onsite technology facilitator. School librarians have the potential to aid teachers and impact student learning.
The combined ability to provide access to resources and technology, along with
skills in collaborative instruction and leadership places the school librarian in a powerful
position. School librarians working in concert with classroom teachers, school counselors
and other education professionals today can have a huge impact introducing technology,
fostering creative activities and making use of new resources. (Dotson and Dotson-
Blake, 2015, p. 54)
Working together, school librarians and teachers can pool resources and ideas to meet the needs of students. They may also devise ways to personalize learning for different learning styles, interests and diversities. According to the ASSL website for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and School Libraries, “School librarian instruction results in students who read and utilize print and digital resources for curricular and personalized learning needs.”
(My students collaborating on a STEM activity.)
As a classroom teacher for over 15 years, I have spent my first year as our school librarian collaborating with the teachers at my school. I receive lesson plans from them, which allows me to pull resources that are available in our library for students and/or teacher use. I also create my own lessons for classes based on the curriculum being taught by the classroom teachers to reinforce or introduce topics. In accordance to the ESSA, “school librarians are perfectly positioned to instruct every student in the school community through both traditional and blended learning.” It is up to school librarians to stay informed of changes in technology, AASL and ISTE standards, and be an advocate for students, teachers and administrators.
How do collaborate with students, teachers, or administrators? Do you utilize Makerspaces,
STEM activities or book clubs? Share your ideas and thoughts.
Resources:
Dotson, K. D., & Dotson-Blake, K. (2015). Factors of engagement: Professional standards
and the library science internship. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve
Learning, 59(3), 54-63.
ESSA and School Libraries. Retrieved from https://essa.aasl.org/
Images
The Parent Trap: retrieved from https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Let%27s_Get_Together
