Libraries and learning over time (Topic 1)

Time changes things. In regards to education, things seem to be changing at an increasing pace. What is needed to function in future society is becoming clearer, and it is not the tradional knowledge and understanding that has been the focus in the past.

It is becoming clear that students need to have more control over their learning, that they need to come out of school as continual learners with the ability to extend their knowledge and skills, to adapt to the ever changing world that we are in, to think critically and to be able to analyse. School is no longer the place where one learns content - the 'three Rs' or even the Key Learning Areas that encompass other subjects. Now students need to learn, and in many cases are learning, to function in society, to be proactive in their learning rather than passive.

As a recently graduated Primary Teacher, this sounds like a very daunting task - I can see the benefit from a teacher's perspective to have someone like a teacher librarian with support and ideas on how to incorporate these skills, particularly through technology as well as the other resources a library possesses.

To me, one of the keys to this is to encourage learners to be interested in what they are doing. To see a relevence to them, and to get enjoyment out of learning. Learning should be exciting.

And already a passion of mine is calling out to be spruked - reading for enjoyment. If children can realise that reading can be something to be enjoyed, they are at a huge advantage. The reading they do in their own time increases their reading speed, vocabulary and overall ability to read (not to mention writing and spelling). It can incite an interest in different topics and open the world to many.

In my mind, literacy is the start, and the centre, of all learning. We just have to remember that literacy is no longer the ability to read a novel, it is the ability to read all kinds of texts, including those of the digital variety. Libraries today should promote literacy and learning, and encourage an eagerness for both.

Today's blog was inspired by the following YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L2XwWq4_BY&feature=player_embedded
as well as the following text:
Haycock, C-A. (1991). 'Resource-based learning, a shift in the roles of teacher, learner', NASSP Bulletin, Vol 75(535), pp 15-22.