Call to Action
School librarians are leaders in literacy, both print and non-print. Technology and our constant use of it leads to the necessity that all users become literate in multiple platforms of media. According to Doug Achterman, these "new technologies include blogs, wikis, instant messaging, video and music sharing technologies, and even improvements to old technologies such as word processing" (2010, p. 79). I will add to that list visual literacy, being able to understand and discern the tremendous amount of images we see each day. As Achterman points out, "[e]verybody---not just teachers but administrators, students, parents, school board members, legislators, the press---believes literacy is the cornerstone of lifelong learning" (2010, p. 81). School librarians are in a perfect position to lead that charge because we can reach all of these groups easily. We are promote a love of reading, work with teachers in developing lesson plans, and organize a diverse collection of materials easily accessible to all patrons. School librarians becoming leaders in literacy, which includes these categories, is the next step to "school libraries... becom[ing] pivotal in twenty-first-century literacy learning" (Achterman, 2010, p. 82).
We are also leaders in the areas of curriculum, both as information specialists and instructional partners (Howard 2010, p. 87 and 92). As information specialists, we know the curriculum at our building level and provide materials to teachers matching the content. Next, we need to use the tools of curriculum mapping and collection mapping to know what teachers are teaching and to keep the resources we provide current and supporting the curriculum (Howard, 2010, p. 91). As instructional partners, we can help teachers "educate the whole child" by "align[ing] [our] standards with the content standards of the teacher" (Howard, 2010, p. 92). Our standards are spelled out as the AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner and the ISTE standards for students. According to Howard, "[t]he leadership qualities that will assist in the curriculum role are patience, flexibility, and self-confidence, as well as being able to inspire a sense of trust; being a risk taker, having and sharing a vision; encouraging others; developing communication skills through a friendly, accepting personality; and working with enthusiasm and passion" (2010, p. 98).
We are also leaders in the areas of curriculum, both as information specialists and instructional partners (Howard 2010, p. 87 and 92). As information specialists, we know the curriculum at our building level and provide materials to teachers matching the content. Next, we need to use the tools of curriculum mapping and collection mapping to know what teachers are teaching and to keep the resources we provide current and supporting the curriculum (Howard, 2010, p. 91). As instructional partners, we can help teachers "educate the whole child" by "align[ing] [our] standards with the content standards of the teacher" (Howard, 2010, p. 92). Our standards are spelled out as the AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner and the ISTE standards for students. According to Howard, "[t]he leadership qualities that will assist in the curriculum role are patience, flexibility, and self-confidence, as well as being able to inspire a sense of trust; being a risk taker, having and sharing a vision; encouraging others; developing communication skills through a friendly, accepting personality; and working with enthusiasm and passion" (2010, p. 98).
AASL's Standards for the 21st Century Learner
Currently, students are faced with not only needing to be able to read and comprehend text, but also to be able to interpret images and videos. Technological and digital experience is a must to be successful in the world. Gone are the days of traditional letter writing as the main form of written communication and phone calls as the primary form of verbal communication across distances. Today, students have the ability to text friends on the other side of the world as well as in the same room and capture videos of events and post them for the world to see. We, as media specialists, are the key to helping students become multi-media literate and responsible citizens. The AASL has developed the following standards to guide us in helping our students become global citizens:
Click here to learn more from the AASL about the 21st Century Standards and the ISTE Student Standards.
Using these standards in line with our current Georgia State Standards, here are some ideas for instructional activities at the high school level. Click on the button below the video to explore how the AASL's Learning Standards align with Common Core Standards.