Knowledge and Application of Content

Candidates in school librarian preparation programs are knowledgeable in literature, digital and information literacies, and current instructional technologies. Candidates use their pedagogical skills to actively engage learners in the critical-thinking and inquiry process. Candidates use a variety of strategies to foster the development of ethical digital citizens and motivated readers.   

Description 

I created a detailed Children’s Literature bibliography including thirty-nine titles and corresponding Readers’ Advisory Guides. I composed a Freedom to Read statement, personal selection criteria, and a reading promotion strategy.

Analysis 

Strengths of this artifact include enjoyable book selections with enticing annotations and a strong reading promotion strategy. I wrote a memorable Readers’ Rights poem and designed an eye-catching poster for my selection criteria. The brief diversity bibliography focuses on different family structures, so students and the community will see themselves reflected in the collection. As I revised, I shortened my annotations, keeping young readers in mind. I plan to share this work with my district’s elementary librarians. I’d love their thoughts on the current or potential circulation of my book selections and their feedback on my reading promotion ideas. 

Reflection 

My final bibliography clearly reflects collection enhancement and reading engagement; it encourages reading for both academic achievement and personal joy. As I incorporated the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights into my ideas, I gained valuable professional development by emulating ethical practices in librarianship. I loved browsing and reviewing a genre that I don’t often read with my high school students. Feeling a sense of childlike wonder while completing a sophisticated and comprehensive bibliography was a wonderful part of this learning experience.

Description   

This Reference and Information Services (RIS) artifact features evaluation criteria for databases and websites, an assessment of reference services and solutions for improvement, and an overview of ten databases that meet the needs of K-12 learners and educators. Through this work, I demonstrated expertise in knowing how to find, evaluate, and communicate information. 

Analysis  

The essential strength of this artifact is a curated list of ten, content- and age-relevant database resources. A weakness is that some of my RIS improvement strategies may need rethinking. While they reflect my mentor librarian’s needs, I could have focused more on students’ interactions with reference sources, especially when they struggle with searching. I’d like to learn more about how other librarians match students with appropriate resources and how they address those who don’t know where to begin.  

Reflection  

Since I practiced locating and evaluating print and non-print resources in my school and community libraries, I can help my patrons do the same. I advocated for flexible access to my high school library’s resources through my action strategies. I learned more about Gale databases, and I experienced what PA’s PowerLibrary has to offer. I synthesized what I learned to formulate strong evaluation criteria for database resources. I will seek more knowledge of other school libraries’ reference sources and how librarians teach them. I can then better assist my learners with their information-seeking behaviors as they enter middle or high school. 

Description  

My artifact for Selecting and Using Digital Apps highlights digital tools, resources, and emerging technologies to design and adapt learning experiences. Using my own selection criteria rubric, I rated the following digital applications: Gimkit, Actively Learn, Sora, Pixton, and News Literacy Project. I also created tech workshop flyers for teachers and a Sora screencast for all patrons.

Analysis 

I collaborated with tech leaders and colleagues to develop strong selection criteria that will help us choose appropriate digital tools for instructional use. These well-researched and highly rated programs will enhance our learning environments. My top-selected tools allow students to apply digital literacy and citizenship skills. To help teach and advertise these tools, I could improve on my video narration skills; my screencast did not cover all the Sora features I had planned. Furthermore, I would expand my tech professional development sheets into three separate flyers to avoid cramming too much information on one page. 

Reflection 

I gained new insights from speaking to my district’s Director of Technology about his upcoming plans to strengthen our approval process for digital tools. I’m delighted that he will be taking my selection criteria into consideration as he continues to fine-tune details. I'd like to implement tools such as Sora, Gimkit, and News Literacy Project into my lesson plans more often because I’ve seen colleagues and students reap the many benefits of these engaging apps and websites.