School Libraries: Learning4Life

MassCue Session 3 – 2:00 – 2:50
School Libraries: Learning4Life
Katherine Lowe, Exec. Director, MSLA

Handouts:
Session 3 School Libraries: Learning4Life
(materials in zipped file for easy download)

Standards for the 21st Century Learner in Action

MSLA Information Literacy Standards (pdf download)

Conference handouts: http://masscue.org/Conference2009/handouts.html

Learning 4Life (L4L) – comes from AASL standards


SHIFT – old ways to find/manage info to new ways/formats/locations. NEW skills – info no longer in central phycical space.
• OLD - how to find stuff in rigid, fixed way, taught in isolation
• NEW – diverse formats and locations for information, literacy skills, flexible access to info as well as educational support and instruction. Attitudes, responsibilities of the learner in 21st century. All taught collaboratively, at the point of need.

Common Beliefs:
• Reading is a window to the world.
• Inquiry provides a framework for learning.
• Ethical behavior in the use of information must be taught.
• Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs.
• Equitable access is a key component for education.
• The definition of information literacy has become more complex as resources and technologies have changed.
• The continuing expansion of information demands that all individuals acquire the thinking skills that will enable them to learn on their own.
• Learning has a social context.
• School libraries are essential to the development of learning skills.

The Standards: a 4x4 Approach

SKILLS surrounded by learner attributes:
Dispositions
Responsibilities
Self-assessment

4 Standards:
• Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge
• Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge.
• Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society.
• Pursue personal and aesthetic growth
Each standard has 4 strands:
• Skills
• Dispositions in actions
• Responsibilities
• Self-assessment strategies

Dispositions in Action (most controversial) – ongoing beliefs ad attitudes that guide thinking and intellectual behavior that can be measured through actions taken: Habits of mind, attitudes, learning behaviors - all these need to be taught.


Common behaviors used by independent learners used by independent learners in research etc.
Reflection – time is short, this often gets short changed.

How do we begin?
Indicators
Benchmarks
Assessments
Sample lessons

Book: Standards for the 21st Century Learner in Action
Available from ALA Online Bookstore
Example lessons for every grade with standards integrated with content area curriculum. Collaboration key.

Report: MSLA Information Literacy Standards

Start with lessons you already do and match to standards. Review opportunities to incorporate indicators for disposition, responsibilities and/or self-assessment strategies.