Information and Knowledge
Candidates model and promote ethical, equitable access to and use of physical, digital, and virtual collections of resources. Candidates demonstrate knowledge of a variety of information sources and services that support the needs of the diverse learning community. Candidates demonstrate the use of a variety of research strategies to generate knowledge to improve practice.
Candidates model and promote ethical, equitable access to and use of physical, digital, and virtual collections of resources. Candidates demonstrate knowledge of a variety of information sources and services that support the needs of the diverse learning community. Candidates demonstrate the use of a variety of research strategies to generate knowledge to improve practice.
3.1 Efficient and Ethical Information-Seeking Behavior
Candidates identify and provide support for diverse student information needs. Candidates model multiple strategies for students, other teachers, and administrators to locate, evaluate, and ethically use information for specific purposes. Candidates collaborate with students, other teachers, and administrators to efficiently access, interpret, and communicate information.
Candidates identify and provide support for diverse student information needs. Candidates model multiple strategies for students, other teachers, and administrators to locate, evaluate, and ethically use information for specific purposes. Candidates collaborate with students, other teachers, and administrators to efficiently access, interpret, and communicate information.
Description
I met Standard 3.1 by creating a Reference Resource website to support the diverse informational needs of learners at home and at school. I curated quality databases and websites, created a screencast and a pathfinder, showcased school, county, and state materials, and highlighted Frederick County Public Schools' policies and regulations.
Analysis
This artifact demonstrates my ability to curate and to provide quality resources to learners. I unexpectedly learned the importance of using selection criteria to choose materials that will assist learners in their research and informational learning. I also shared the Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) research process to teach learners, educators, and families how to complete a research project. Unfortunately, because FCPS has a website we are required to use, I will not be using this resource in its original form. However, I can add some of the resources from this website to my school-based website to better support its users.
Reflection
The Reference Resource website is one of my favorite artifacts I created in the SLM program. This beautiful artifact demonstrates my hard work, attention to detail, and commitment to providing quality resources for my learning community. Creating this artifact gave me the skills to improve my school-based website, which will be important in future years as a school librarian. I look forward to incorporating some of the materials from this artifact onto my Twin Ridge Elementary School’s website.
I met Standard 3.1 by creating a Reference Resource website to support the diverse informational needs of learners at home and at school. I curated quality databases and websites, created a screencast and a pathfinder, showcased school, county, and state materials, and highlighted Frederick County Public Schools' policies and regulations.
Analysis
This artifact demonstrates my ability to curate and to provide quality resources to learners. I unexpectedly learned the importance of using selection criteria to choose materials that will assist learners in their research and informational learning. I also shared the Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) research process to teach learners, educators, and families how to complete a research project. Unfortunately, because FCPS has a website we are required to use, I will not be using this resource in its original form. However, I can add some of the resources from this website to my school-based website to better support its users.
Reflection
The Reference Resource website is one of my favorite artifacts I created in the SLM program. This beautiful artifact demonstrates my hard work, attention to detail, and commitment to providing quality resources for my learning community. Creating this artifact gave me the skills to improve my school-based website, which will be important in future years as a school librarian. I look forward to incorporating some of the materials from this artifact onto my Twin Ridge Elementary School’s website.
3.2 Access to Information
Candidates support flexible, open access for library services. Candidates demonstrate their ability to develop solutions for addressing physical, social and intellectual barriers to equitable access to resources and services. Candidates facilitate access to information in print, non-print, and digital formats. Candidates model and communicate the legal and ethical codes of the profession.
Candidates support flexible, open access for library services. Candidates demonstrate their ability to develop solutions for addressing physical, social and intellectual barriers to equitable access to resources and services. Candidates facilitate access to information in print, non-print, and digital formats. Candidates model and communicate the legal and ethical codes of the profession.
Description
I met Standard 3.2 by creating a school website that offers the learning community twenty-four-hour access to information in print, non-print, and digital formats. Users can access the online catalog, our databases, my Reference Resource website, the library’s policies and procedures, and additional materials on the ethical use of information.
Analysis
As a new school librarian, creating this artifact was quite helpful. Before posting any information, I had to research our county’s policies, think about my procedures, and consider which materials would benefit learners, educators, and families. Creating this assignment caused me to examine how I want to run my school library program and the type of public relations messaging I want to provide. While my website is very organized, I am concerned that users—especially learners—may feel overwhelmed by the amount of content. Since we have a school-based website that we are required to use, I plan on transferring some of the information from this website to the school-based website.
Reflection
This website is an impressive indicator of my ability to create digital resources for my school library and my county. It shows my thoroughness, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence. This artifact proves that I know my library and that I know the needs of my learners, educators, and families. I plan on continuing to look at other school librarians’ websites for further inspiration. I look forward to combining the information on this website with my school-based website.
I met Standard 3.2 by creating a school website that offers the learning community twenty-four-hour access to information in print, non-print, and digital formats. Users can access the online catalog, our databases, my Reference Resource website, the library’s policies and procedures, and additional materials on the ethical use of information.
Analysis
As a new school librarian, creating this artifact was quite helpful. Before posting any information, I had to research our county’s policies, think about my procedures, and consider which materials would benefit learners, educators, and families. Creating this assignment caused me to examine how I want to run my school library program and the type of public relations messaging I want to provide. While my website is very organized, I am concerned that users—especially learners—may feel overwhelmed by the amount of content. Since we have a school-based website that we are required to use, I plan on transferring some of the information from this website to the school-based website.
Reflection
This website is an impressive indicator of my ability to create digital resources for my school library and my county. It shows my thoroughness, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence. This artifact proves that I know my library and that I know the needs of my learners, educators, and families. I plan on continuing to look at other school librarians’ websites for further inspiration. I look forward to combining the information on this website with my school-based website.
3.3 Information Technology
Candidates demonstrate their ability to design and adapt relevant learning experiences that engage students inauthentic learning through the use of digital tools and resources. Candidates model and facilitate the effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, and evaluate, and use information resources to support research, learning, creating, and communicating in a digital society.
Candidates demonstrate their ability to design and adapt relevant learning experiences that engage students inauthentic learning through the use of digital tools and resources. Candidates model and facilitate the effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, and evaluate, and use information resources to support research, learning, creating, and communicating in a digital society.
Description
I met Standard 3.3 by creating an Early Native American Culture Pathfinder. This digital tool assists learners with locating resources—both digital and print—for their research project. I also included the research process and various graphic organizers to support learners.
Analysis
The greatest strength of this artifact is that it houses all the resources required to complete the project. This tool can be used by either the school librarian or the classroom educator and can be adapted for virtual learning. Unexpectedly, I learned to first think through the content standards and the research process before I curated materials. One weakness is that this resource was created for another school and will need to be updated with my school library’s materials. I would also like to include an example of a finished research product to help learners better visualize the assignment.
Reflection
I am pleased that my pathfinder shows how school librarians can meet the research needs of their learning community. I would like to meet with grade level teams to determine other research topics that would benefit from having a pathfinder. I plan on looking at other school librarians’ pathfinders to gain more ideas of the types of materials I can include through this digital tool.
I met Standard 3.3 by creating an Early Native American Culture Pathfinder. This digital tool assists learners with locating resources—both digital and print—for their research project. I also included the research process and various graphic organizers to support learners.
Analysis
The greatest strength of this artifact is that it houses all the resources required to complete the project. This tool can be used by either the school librarian or the classroom educator and can be adapted for virtual learning. Unexpectedly, I learned to first think through the content standards and the research process before I curated materials. One weakness is that this resource was created for another school and will need to be updated with my school library’s materials. I would also like to include an example of a finished research product to help learners better visualize the assignment.
Reflection
I am pleased that my pathfinder shows how school librarians can meet the research needs of their learning community. I would like to meet with grade level teams to determine other research topics that would benefit from having a pathfinder. I plan on looking at other school librarians’ pathfinders to gain more ideas of the types of materials I can include through this digital tool.
3.4 Research and Knowledge Creation
Candidates use evidence-based, action research to collect data. Candidates interpret and use data to create and share new knowledge to improve practice in school libraries.
Candidates use evidence-based, action research to collect data. Candidates interpret and use data to create and share new knowledge to improve practice in school libraries.
Description
I demonstrated Standard 3.4 through the Data Collection Matrix and Data Collection Tools I developed for my Action Research Project on diversifying Valley Elementary School’s library collection. By employing these tools, I would gain the necessary data needed to diversify a library collection.
Analysis
I learned how to use data collection to answer research questions. Furthermore, I learned the importance of triangulating data to ensure validity and reliability. Creating this artifact caused me to examine how I would employ surveys, circulation reports, Titlewave’s Diversity analysis reports, reading promotions, observations, student reflection logs, literature circles, and staff interviews to collect accurate data. The weakness of this artifact is that these tools have not yet been used in a library. However, now that I am a school librarian, I have an opportunity to implement these tools.
Reflection
Creating this artifact was quite difficult. I had to ensure that the data I collected would accurately answer the research questions. I also had to consider how I would implement these collection tools while operating on a fixed media schedule. I plan on asking other Frederick County Public Schools’ librarians if they have used data collection tools in their school libraries. If they have, then I would like to learn how they implemented them in their libraries. If they have not, then I plan on suggesting that we try to implement these collection tools at the same time to support one another.
I demonstrated Standard 3.4 through the Data Collection Matrix and Data Collection Tools I developed for my Action Research Project on diversifying Valley Elementary School’s library collection. By employing these tools, I would gain the necessary data needed to diversify a library collection.
Analysis
I learned how to use data collection to answer research questions. Furthermore, I learned the importance of triangulating data to ensure validity and reliability. Creating this artifact caused me to examine how I would employ surveys, circulation reports, Titlewave’s Diversity analysis reports, reading promotions, observations, student reflection logs, literature circles, and staff interviews to collect accurate data. The weakness of this artifact is that these tools have not yet been used in a library. However, now that I am a school librarian, I have an opportunity to implement these tools.
Reflection
Creating this artifact was quite difficult. I had to ensure that the data I collected would accurately answer the research questions. I also had to consider how I would implement these collection tools while operating on a fixed media schedule. I plan on asking other Frederick County Public Schools’ librarians if they have used data collection tools in their school libraries. If they have, then I would like to learn how they implemented them in their libraries. If they have not, then I plan on suggesting that we try to implement these collection tools at the same time to support one another.