504 Critical Reflection

Over the course of this unit I have developed an understanding of leadership in a much deeper sense than that of simply leading a team. This includes leadership styles and qualities, aspects related to leadership and what constitutes an effective school leader. It is these elements together that demonstrate the true depth of a leader and the impact they have on their school system.

Through regular readings, I was able to understand the multi-faceted role of a leader and how a teacher librarian could adapt some of these elements to ensure they effectively lead their school into twenty-first century learning. The very first module of the semester allowed me to better understand leadership qualities and styles and the difference this can make in determining the type of leader one may become.

A topic that proved to be particularly helpful for me was collaborative curriculum programs. This topic allowed me to better understand what constitutes collaborative planning and how this could be a basis for planning for the new curriculum. It has allowed me to feel more confident in the ability to lead a collaborative culture within my school even if I am in an RFF situation.

In looking back at my blog postings over the semester, I can see how my thought process has shifted. Our first assignment provided us with the opportunity to reflect on what we understood about leadership at that point and what leadership qualities we could personally bring to the role of TL. At present I have a very minor leadership role within my school which I reflected mostly on, yet I began to think about ways in changing this allowing myself to lead more within my school. Kotter's 8 Step Process in Leading Change has been particularly helpful in creating a strategic plan. By critically evaluating where my library is at and where I want it to be, I can now see the process that I must undertake, along with fellow staff, to ensure that the school library becomes a vital element to student success.

Through reflecting on other blog postings I can also see my own learning journey throughout this semester. These postings have allowed me to reflect on my own practice as a TL and have given me the opportunity to look closely at my current library situation, including a quick scan of my library using STEEP. This method allowed me to better understand where the library is at in terms of a twenty-first century learning environment and has formed part of the basis for the change process. Another posting that has proven to be particularly helpful in reflecting on my own leadership capability is that of conflict resolution. It allowed me to critically evaluate the way I approach conflict and to become more collaborative and accommodating rather than compromise my own ideas and opinions to keep others happy. However I have made a point to remember that any decision made is for the benefit of the whole school and not to take any conflict that does arise personally.

The forums have been an essential part of this course. They have helped enhance my understanding of the modules and have provided the opportunity to share ideas with others. It was especially helpful to see how TLs in training have taken on the role within their school and how different our experiences all are whilst going through a similar situation.

As I continue through the last section of this course I feel much more confident to lead my school community into future learning. I have never been a natural leader and for me it has always been quite a daunting role. However I now feel much more confident in my own ability and better equipped to deal with many of the issues facing TLs in the future than I did 12 months ago. I need to continue to reflect upon my own practice in such a multi-faceted role as it is easy to become complacent with what you are doing. TLs must never become complacent and must continue to be an advocate for their role and its importance in the school community (Boaanno & Moore, 2009).

References

Bonanno, K., & Moore, R. (2009, October 2). Advocacy: reason, responsibility and rhetoric. Australian School Library Association :: ASLA. Retrieved on 28th September, 2013, from http://www.asla.org.au/advocacy/School-library-advocacy.aspx

Kotter, J. (n.d.). The 8-Step Process for Leading Change . Kotter International - Innovative Strategy Implementation Professionals. Retrieved on 26th September 2013, from http://www.kotterinternational.com/our-principles/changesteps/changesteps

ETL504- Digital learning

My understanding of digital learning is the development of information literacy and ICT skills in students, which forms the basis for some of the general capabilities in the Australian Curriculum. The ICT general capabilities are integrated across learning areas as well as form their own learning area that must be addressed according to set outcomes.

To develop a digital literacy framework across a school it is necessary to ensure all staff are aware and have a sound knowledge of the general capabilities of the new curriculum. From here an information literacy scope and sequence may be created to ensure IL and an inquiry approach is embedded into teaching and learning programs across the school. This would require students to meet certain targets of these capabilities each year and would keep them on track to meeting the overall general capabilities of the Australian Curriculum.

STEEP

A quick scan of my current library situation shows the following-

SOCIAL
-library used before school and at lunchtime as a place to use computers for assignments or games, drawing, reading and playing boardgames
- used as a STLA or small group work space
- utilised as a space for whole school meetings, committee meetings and special events and visitors

TECHNOLOGICAL
- access to the internet and apps through computers and ipads
- wireless access across school (although through different ports which is currently causing problems with internet access on ipads)

ENVIRONMENTAL
- school wide approach to recycling of paper and cardboard
- trying to reduce paper wastage and limit printing and photocopying
- students do not have direct access to printing- student work is sent through to the library office and printed by the TL

ECONOMIC
- smaller budget than previous years
- concerns about resourcing the new curriculum on a limited budget?

POLITICAL
- change in government / further cuts? Gonski?
- overcoming internal politics due to library transition from CPT to RFF

This gives me a lot to think about in terms of my own strategic planning for the next few years. How do I go about dealing with these currents issues and will these have changed in 3 years time?

Conflict resolution style

Through completing the conflict resolution survey I found that I have a tendency to compromise during conflict. This is nothing new to me as I find that I do this quite often. Not wanting to step on other people's toes, I will make decisions for the benefit of others which therefore puts my own needs to the side.

However the role of TL has definitely made me more aware of this and the need to change this strategy when dealing with staff, parents and the community. This is not something that will happen overnight and may never completely go away. Yet by being more aware of this I will hopefully begin to deal with such situations by taking on a more collaborative and accommodating approach which will allow both sides to benefit and neither side need compromise their own ideas and beliefs.