Work with Me: Collaborating for STEM Learning

Kira Painchaud

CO

Morris, R.J. (2014). Work with me: Collaborating for stem learning. School Library Monthly, 30(8), 8-10.

Summary:

This article talks about how classrooms are collaborating in school library settings to promote student learning. The concept of instructional partnership is addressed in relation to STEM and Common Core Standards being implemented. In this article the librarian role is to guide teachers and students in their quest for information seeking while directing teachers and students to worth while texts and media. Reading for deeper meaning and diversity in subjects are also talked about in relation to  co-teaching between teachers and librarians. Students are encouraged to develop math and literacy skills for the purpose of using in real life applications.  

Review:

This article is an interesting account of a school librarian's experiences in helping to develop collaborative best practices as a librarian before Common Core Standards were established. As a librarian professional, the article is inspirational.

Roys, Kelly

Heider, K. L. (2009). Information Literacy: The missing link in early childhood education. Early Childhood Education Journal: Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. doi: 10.1007/s10643-009-0313-4

Summary: Heider's research focuses on the necessity of early education to focus on reading to learn instead of learning to read with the assistance of greater informational texts. The library media specialist is a critical component as she argues that quality school library programs are advantageous in the learning environment. She describes three models of planning and reflection for the educators to ensure deeper learning.

Evaluation:  The article stresses the importance of Common Core learning standards and Library Instruction and Program Standards. It is important to see how the reflection process plays a part in learning and teaching. The idea of the models provides context for how to begin thinking about constructivist theory in education.

Serious Gaming and 21st Century Skills

Samnath, Kayla 

IL: information literacy and 21^st century skills

Romero, M., Usart, M., & Ott, M. (2014). Can Serious Games Contribute to Developing and Sustaining 21st Century Skills? Games and Culture, 10(2), 148-177. doi:10.1177/1555412014548919

Summary:

            This article examined if serous gaming could help develop 21^st century skills. Authors Romero, Usart, and Ott (2014) first define and explain the need for 21^st century skills. 21^st century skills encompass the idea that technology has become “an entire strategy for how to live, survive, and thrive” in this new day and age (p. 149). Younger generations “communicate, buy and sell, search information, and socialize differently” (p. 149). Now a day’s technology has enabled most everybody to not only information share with peers, but with others all around the world. Some sets of skills used as an example are personal skills, social skills, and learning skills. These skills involve “the ability to rapidly filter huge amounts of incoming data; extracting information valuable for decision making, and the ability to separate signal from noise in a potentially overwhelming flood of incoming data” (p. 151). After defining what 21^st century skills are, and why they are necessary, the authors then focus on defining what they mean by “serious gaming”. According to the authors, serious gaming (or SG) is education oriented, and that “games in which education (in its various forms) is the primary goal, rather than entertainment” (p. 151).

            The authors explain how “games enable an active learning approach that encourages critical thinking, group communication, debate and decision making” (p. 167). These mirror what scholars have defined as 21^st century skills. For example serious games have challenges that promote collaboration, competition, strategy and tactics that are used within the mechanics of the game (168). In a day and age where technology is connection everyone, serious games promote these skills and enable massive amounts of learning.

Review:

            I found this article to be quite interesting and helpful. It examined 21^st century skills in terms of serious games. I felt this to be quite important due to the fact that gaming is on the rise. It is very relevant in terms of today’s youth culture. Technology and gaming are synonymous, and this has implemented the need for 21^st century skills.  With new technology emerging daily, the ways people learn and interact with their environment is forever changed.  

            For a reader who is unsure of how to define or examine 21^st century skills, this article does a great job explaining them through the example of serious games. The article offers a large chart on data gathered by the authors that compare certain 21^st century skills to skills acquired through gaming. Some of the major examples used are: Collaboration and teamwork, communication, computer/digital literacy, social skills, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, self-direction, adaptability, manage and solve conflicts. This article does a great job in assisting novices to understand the importance of 21^st century skills and what they can offer learners.

Divide with innovation

Shibrie Wilson

Z

Matthews, K. (2016, January 27). Are we creating an innovation divide? Retrieved from 21st Century Library Blog website: https://21stcenturylibrary.com/

Summary: When imagining the word "innovation" we typically have a colossal perspective at to what it consist of. Innovation in technology contains many distinct facets. Innovation is not based on a particular concept, being that individuals and organizations have different notions. Kimberly Matthews, reviews grants and noticed commonality of how organizations stat their contributions to expounding upon innovative technology in their communities. There is often a variety of candidates, unfortunately some libraries do not receive funding because their idea is perceived as not "innovative enough." There needs to be a balance in funding because libraries are at different stages of innovation in which adhere to their communities. In field of librarianship we are dedicated to providing equal services, Matthews states that persons approve grants should have that same approach to innovation grants. Assuring each community and library has opportunity to receive funding and support is vital so that there is not a subset of libraries in which lack. 

Review: Intriguing article to read and learn about division within technology. As librarians and perspective candidates of officials to decided if organizations receive grants we need to be thoughtful. We are suppose to provide support to all communities, but such is not occurring when we choose to compare libraries on different spectrums. Hopefully, Matthews vocalizing here opinion will reset current ramifications for grant approvals. 

Transformation of traditional libraries

Shibrie Wilson

ET, CO, IL, Z

Holland, B. (2015, February 14). 21st-Century Libraries: the learning commons. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/21st-century-libraries-learning-commons-beth-holland

Summary: Since 2600 BCE libraries have existed for purpose of archiving recorded knowledge. Due to technology and accessibility in many locations libraries are reinventing themselves sense materials are no longer confined to print. Institutions are creating environment in which text materials are obsolete and therefore encouraging libraries to revamp spaces creating and environment for "collaboration and knowledge con-construction." Due to digital technology students no longer need access to library to retrieve resources. Libraries are becoming learning commons in which encourages participatory learning and provides variety of sources. Within article are different accounts of school librarians successfully initiating transformation in school libraries.  A school located in Chicago has transformed library into a flexible space with moveable furniture, break out rooms, and additional resources created to encourage collaboration and sharing. Creating a space without barriers was the concept of a high school librarian in Austin, Texas deemed as "library hub." Opposed to stereotypical environment of silence and independent study this library discourages  such and encourages collaboration and active learning. Providing culminating activities create learning hubs, and transparent facilities are way in which libraries can supplant the traditional. Creating an environment in which students can create their own environment. Innovative transformation of libraries will inspire students. 

Review: Inspiring article for all librarians and specifically for those who recent library graduates and those in library studies for programs. This a great article in which exposes different aspects of how libraries are and will continue to be relevant in evolving world of technology. One contribution in which I noticed is that librarians in article were benefactors of change and were not afraid to disassociate themselves from the norm. 

School Libraries, Librarians, and Inquiry Based Learning

Gooding, Elyssa

LEVITOV, D. (2016). School Libraries, Librarians, and Inquiry Learning. Teacher Librarian, 43(3), 28-35.

Summary:

This article gives an overview of learning theories and compares old thinking to new thinking. The learning shift from constructivist instruction to inquiry based learning.gives librarians the opportunity to influence and participate in instruction. Librarians have a unique position in schools where they can show how inquiry based learning supports national standards.

Review:

Explaining the influence that teacher librarians can have on inquiry based curriculum and how it is supported by standards is good evidence to support the role of professional teacher librarians.

Why Edcamp?

Hoff, Jane

CO - Collaboration Strategies in Professional Development


Swanson, K. (2013, April 23). Why Edcamp?. Retrieved April 17, 2016, from Edcamps, http://www.edutopia.org/blog/why-edcamp-kristen-swanson


Summary:  First started in 2010, Edcamp has gained a tremendous amount of support from educators interested in professional development that accommodates their desire for collaborative learning environments designed by teachers, for teachers.  The author lists the primary reasons why Edcamp has been, and continues to be, so successful.  First, Edcamp is free, in more ways than one: 1) There is no cost to attend, 2) attendees are free to choose and move through sessions based on their interests, and 3) Edcamps are held on Saturdays, accommodating teachers' work schedules and not costing them a personal day to attend.  Second, Edcamp is structured as a participant driven professional development conference where everyone has authority and are free to participate as they wish.  Thus Edcamps promote productive conversation and effective collaboration as the platform for learning.  Edcamp sessions are scheduled on the day of the event, ensuring a more organic collaborative learning environment, rather than planned and canned presentations.  Similarly, Edcamps are hosted by individuals and organizations that are not affiliated with vendors or commercial entities, and as a result are not designed to sell anything or any way of thinking.  In essence, the success of Edcamps is owing to the collaborative platform is promotes.  Professional development through the sharing of ideas with other professionals in the field generates a +1 effect (two heads are greater than one) in learning and generating of ideas.

Review:  This article was written by an Edcamp "veteran," and is clearly designed to inform educators of the collaborative method and resource for professional development.  Swanson does an excellent job of describing the Edcamp method, despite obvious areas that cannot be defined due to its largely organic platform.  This article inspired the idea that collaboration between education professionals might not be so bleak as observed on campuses - perhaps the key is giving educators a feeling of authority, self-determination, freedom, and voice in their professional development.  For more information on Edcamp and Edcamps that might be scheduled in your area check out their website, edcamp.org.