Beyond The Bird Unit

Felix Davila III
CO
Robins, J. (2005). Beyond the bird unit. Teacher Librarian, 33(2), 8-19. Retrieved from http://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lih&AN=19212528&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Robins article is a stellar demonstration of how to complete thorough and strong collaboration between teachers and teacher librarians. While she initiates the article with a detailed examination of constructivist theory and its umbrella topics, she uses the theories to support her advice on collaboration. Robins notes that teachers are the spearhead of the operation, and teacher librarians must realize that it is the teacher lesson plan that is the ultimate goal and journey of the activity and research. The librarian must facilitate and enhance it in order to maximize learning goals. She warns, however, that the amount of work can be of high demand, so she recommends using “asynchronous collaboration” using online tools, messaging apps and the like to bolster communication and combined effort. Robins strongest point, though, lies in her admission that students must have motivation to learn. They must recognize the importance of their work, their research and understand how much is demanded of them. In addition, students must find legitimacy or “rationality” in their work, knowing everything is supported by factual evidence.

The importance of this article, I believe, is supported by the notion that collaboration is key but is rooted in the idea that librarians must encourage students to truly embark on an informational journey. They must accept the prescribed methods that the teacher and teacher librarian have set up for them in order to succeed. But because the librarian is important to this process, just as Rush details, the need to guide and provide the necessary tools for effective self-instruction must be available and provided.