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Engaging and empowering school libraries is a podcast that aims to raise the profile of school libraries by talking about topics that are current across education and teaching. We talk about issues that impact school libraries and invite guests to come along and speak on selected topics keeping our chats lively, engaging and current. We hope you enjoy listening. Find more CPD for school librarians and teachers here https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/
Episodes
Saturday Apr 27, 2024
Saturday Apr 27, 2024
FOSIL, Education and School Libraries (11)
In the second part of our history of school libraries, we talk more about the evolution of school libraries from 1986 to the present day. We continue to focus on Norman Beswick's history of school libraries as an influential piece of research from the same period, which looked at the dramatic trajectory of librarianship, budget struggles, and changing roles with the advent of computers in education.
We explore two crucial hopeful signals during that time - the rise of information skills and the increasing collaboration between teachers and librarians. The discussion also touches upon the concept of information literacy and how it differs from the inquiry model. Additionally, we critically examine Anne Irving's nine-question steps model from 1985 that set a new tone for the synergy between teachers and librarians.
Our conversation highlights the role of school librarians in teaching information literacy skills, the difficult struggle for curriculum time, and the undeniable link between information literacy and education. We touch upon the internet’s impact, the devaluation of school libraries and the challenge of teaching information literacy amidst these changes. We discuss how a focus on information availability may have hindered a smooth transition during the introduction of computers to schools.
The episode creates an understanding of the evolution of school libraries, touches on the impacts of AI, and the need for diverse, multicultural teaching methods. It emphasises librarians' role in diversifying teaching methods and portrays libraries, beyond academic learning centres, as hubs for personal development, independent learning, and more. We conclude by reemphasising the importance for school libraries and librarians to align their educational philosophy with the current concerns and aspirations in the educational sector.
Portraits of an Engaged and Empowered Inquirer https://fosil.org.uk/forums/topic/portraits-of-an-engaged-and-empowered-inquirer/
Saturday Apr 13, 2024
Saturday Apr 13, 2024
Delve into the rich history of school libraries and their crucial role in education in this fascinating episode of the "FOSIL, Education and School Libraries" podcast. Darryl and I discuss various significant developments in school libraries over the years.
In a captivating conversation, we take a time-travelling journey, beginning from the inception of the School Library Association in 1937 to the progressive education era, illuminating the relentless evolution of school libraries. From the past, we make connections to the present and future, underlining the transformative journey of school librarianship in relation to education and philosophy. The underlying tone of our discussion revolves around employing academic honesty and fostering intellectual curiosity among students.
The latter section delves into the historical schism in the School Library Association and the changes in the focus of school libraries over time. We discuss the traditional and progressive approaches to education and their influence on library usage habits. The evolution from school libraries being mere conduits for recreational reading to valuable resources for independent learning is explored.
Experience the journey of educational reform, from traditional to progressive, and witness the increasing prominence given to school libraries. Learn about the UK's unique path in teacher librarianship and the potential promise of introducing microcomputers into school libraries during the 1980s. Embrace the past, understand the present, and envisage the future as we delve into the world of school libraries and their profound implications for education.
Saturday Mar 09, 2024
FOSIL, Education and School Libraries (9)
Saturday Mar 09, 2024
Saturday Mar 09, 2024
In this episode of 'FOSIL, Education and School Libraries,' we discuss the evolving role of school libraries within the broader educational system. Addressing pressing issues such as the undervaluation of librarians and the alignment of library programs with institutional educational goals, this conversation underscores the library's essential contribution to student development.
With a focus on the IFLA School Library Guidelines, we also navigated the challenges of aligning libraries with the quantifiable outcomes often prioritised by schools. By examining strategies for librarians to articulate and advocate for their role in supporting holistic education, this episode presents a compelling call to action for educational leaders and librarians alike. Listen in as we explore the critical intersection of education, purpose, and the pivotal role of school libraries in shaping informed, curious, and well-rounded individuals.
Saturday Feb 03, 2024
FOSIL, Education and School Libraries (8)
Saturday Feb 03, 2024
Saturday Feb 03, 2024
In our last podcast, we talked about Douglas Knight’s two major and unique functions of a library and ended up having a great discussion about the purpose and function of our non-fiction collections.
In this episode Darryl and I cover
- The similarities with the SLA guidelines, including their bookstock guidance. Stott (1947, 1955), School Libraries: A Short Manual (CUP for SLA) and SLA (1972) | Libraries in Secondary Schools
- Understand the role of the school librarian via the IFLA School Library Guidelines
- Staffing in school libraries
- collection development and in particular non-fiction.
Making School Libraries Integral to the Educational Process https://www.sla.org.uk/Services/ItemDetail?iProductCode=8340&Category=GUIDELINES
Membership information -https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/aboutmembership
Last month's podcast https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/podcast/episode/adf7b60a/fosil-education-and-school-libraries-7
Saturday Jan 13, 2024
FOSIL, Education and School Libraries (7)
Saturday Jan 13, 2024
Saturday Jan 13, 2024
In this episode, Darryl and I continue our conversation about Douglas Knight’s ideas about there being two major and unique functions of a library, regardless of type. These two functions are:-
- First, it makes possible meetings of mind and idea which are not limited by our normal boundaries of time, space, and social or economic level.
- To say this is to suggest the second great function of a library. It is the institution in our society which allows and encourages the development, the extension of ideas -- not their passive absorption, but their active generation. … The technical means of his encounter may be a record, a tape, a film, a print-out or -- most radical of all -- a book. Libraries are not bounded by means; they will and should employ any means to achieve their ends.
Clarification on non-fiction to fiction ratio: NF to F ratio should rise from 50% NF to 50% F through 66% NF to 33% F to 75% NF to 25% F as children move from Primary through Secondary (Darryl)
Link to Douglas Knight document can be found here https://bit.ly/3ShxMSK
Podcast - Non-fiction collections in school libraries: Do we still need them?https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/podcast/episode/9d8adc04/non-fiction-collections-in-school-libraries-do-we-still-need-them
FOSIL forum link -https://fosil.org.uk/forums/
Engaging and Empowering School Libraries Membership -https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/aboutmembership
Saturday Dec 09, 2023
FOSIL, Education and School Libraries (6)
Saturday Dec 09, 2023
Saturday Dec 09, 2023
This month Darryl and I are going to head back to something we mentioned briefly at the end of last month's conversation which was about reading and making sense of something….
I know that many people associate school libraries with reading… However, the latest Reading Framework produced by the Government in the UK in July does not mention libraries as much as it should have and librarians even less…From a librarian's perspective that is sad but not surprising, so today we are going to help listeners understand the role the school librarian plays in reading, especially reading for learning.
We expand on how reading fits within the FOSIL framework across the whole cycle.
More information about this topic can be read here...https://fosil.org.uk/forums/topic/year-9-grade-8-interdisciplinary-signature-work-inquiry-blanchelande-college/
In this post - https://fosil.org.uk/forums/topic/year-9-grade-8-interdisciplinary-signature-work-inquiry-blanchelande-college/#post-80555
Membership information can be found here https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/aboutmembership
Saturday Nov 11, 2023
FOSIL, Education and School Libraries (5)
Saturday Nov 11, 2023
Saturday Nov 11, 2023
This month Darryl and I discuss the importance of Blanchelande's Year 9 Signature Work and its impact on student learning. The conversation highlighted the challenges of measuring academic attainment through signature work and explored the difference between student engagement and academic attainment.
Key Takeaways from this podcast
• The impact of the year nine signature work on student learning and engagement, highlighting the challenges of measuring academic attainment through this approach.
• The discussion explored the change in students' attitudes towards learning as a result of their engagement with signature work.
• Future directions and implementation strategies for the year nine signature work.
• The conversation emphasised the importance of an early introduction to inquiry-based learning and its potential impact on the quality of work and attitude towards inquiry in the future.
• We covered the role of habit in the learning process, drawing parallels between the development of information literacy skills and inquiry skills.
• The conversation also highlighted the starting point of inquiry as an attitude of wonder and puzzlement, emphasising the importance of cultivating a desire to learn.
Note: We did not explain fully why it is called 'signature' work. The short and simple explanation is that students are asked to produce something they would be happy to sign or put their signature to... Understanding that this is their work and should be proud to sign it. Darryl's explanation can be found here https://fosil.org.uk/forums/topic/year-9-grade-8-interdisciplinary-signature-work-inquiry-blanchelande-college/#post-81808
Other resources:
LibGuide NewsLetter: https://blanchelande.libguides.com/LibraryGuide/News/The-Future-Needs-You-Living-Well-in-a-World-Worth-Living-in
see Year 9 Individual Project and Year 9 FOSIL Inquiry Skills Project
Don't forget to subscribe to all of the forum post in order to be notified if there are any new posts or replies https://fosil.org.uk/forums/topic/subscribing-to-the-forums/
My membership information - https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/aboutmembership
Friday Oct 06, 2023
FOSIL, Education and School Libraries (4)
Friday Oct 06, 2023
Friday Oct 06, 2023
Darryl and I continue our monthly chat about FOSIL, education and school libraries. This month we are continuing where we left off last month and are going to delve deeper into Darryl’s chapter for the IFLA digital literacy book.
The highlights of this podcast focus on:
- The importance of school librarians gaining clarity about what they do and why.
- The importance of school librarians understanding what education is and their role in it.
"Our goal is not to get our children to the end of school but to equip them for what happens beyond school"
Links
Making school libraries integral to the education process https://www.sla.org.uk/product/making-school-libraries-integral-to-the-educational-process
IFLA 2023 WLIC, Digital Literacy: Necessary but not sufficient https://fosil.org.uk/forums/topic/ifla-2023-wlic-digital-literacy-necessary-but-not-sufficient/
IASL 2023 Recovering the educational promise of inquiry https://fosil.org.uk/forums/topic/iasl-2023-recovering-the-educational-promise-of-inquiry/
Constitute of Knowledge by Jonathan Rauch
ChatGPT et al https://fosil.org.uk/forums/topic/chatgpt-et-al/
Evolution of portraits https://fosil.org.uk/forums/topic/a-theory-of-the-role-of-the-library-in-the-students-intellectual-experience/
Membership information https://www.elizabethahutchinson.com/aboutmembership