High Standards for Librarians: My Reflections on the ISTE and AASL Standards

The 2016 ISTE Standards (iste.org/standards)

1.       Empowered Learner-Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving and demonstration competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.

2.       Digital Citizen- Students recognize the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of living, learning and working in an interconnected digital world, and they act and model in ways that are safe, legal and ethical.

3.       Knowledge Constructor- Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.

4.       Innovative Designer-Students use a variety of technologies within a design process to identify and solve problems by creating new, useful or imaginative solutions.

5.       Computational Thinker-Students develop and employ strategies for understanding and solving problems in ways that leverage the power of technological methods to develop and text solutions.

6.       Creative Communicator- Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals.

7.       Global Collaborator- Students use digital tools to broaden their perspectives and enrich their learning by collaborating with others and working effectively in teams locally and globally.

The 2007 AASL Standards (Information Services Today, 2015)

1.       Inquire, think critically and gain knowledge

2.       Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations and create knowledge.

3.       Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members of our democratic society

4.       Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.

            After reading through the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) standards and the AASL (American Association of School Librarians) standards, I am reminded of a quote from my reading in a previous class. Mary Ann Harlan states that “there are many overlaps between the student learning standards published by ISTE and the AASL but both standards help guide school librarian practices that encourage instruction regarding technology literacy.” (2015, page 56) If we are thinking of “technology literacy” as the end goal for students, librarians should use these two sets of standards to assist their instruction. Like Harlan said, these standards overlap but they also differ in their use. The AASL standards address four types of knowledge: skills, dispositions, responsibilities and self-assessment. The ISTE standards address more technology competencies. The AASL standards refer to a student’s ability as an individual. The ISTE standards related more the students ability to work with technology alongside others. For example, students not only need to be able to think critically but also communicate clearly and creatively to apply that knowledge. These sets of standards both delve into what it takes to be a well-rounded member of our society and I think as librarians it is our job to assist in that process in anyway necessary.

            The article Factors of Engagement: Professional Standards and the Library Science Internship discusses research performed on the library science internship of programs by sending a survey out to all enrolled at a southeastern university over a period of four years. The study developed “factors” that related back to the ITSE and the ASSL standards. After they received the results of the surveys, they discovered six “factors” that the interns reflected as an “environment of collaboration.” When I reviewed the “six factors,” I was able to get a good picture of how my library should function with collaboration in mind.

            Here are my thoughts on each of the “factors” and how they relate to both sets of standards.

~Factor 1 is “Creating an Environment of Collaboration,” which means as librarians it is our job to build relationships with teachers and create opportunities that benefit all students. We are leaders in our schools whose job it is to “Empower the Learner” and that learner may include your fellow teachers.

~Factor 2 is “Positioning the Library within School Improvement Efforts.” It is vital to the future of our school libraries that we become advocates for the role libraries play within the school. In the article 65 years and Counting: AASL and School Librarians-Still Champions of Intellectual Freedom, Helen Adams states that the administration within the school are not always supportive of their school libraries and need to be better informed especially in regards to First Amendment and intellectual freedoms. This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what kind of respect is given to school libraries and their importance.

~Factor 3 is “Ethical and Appropriate Use of Technology.” It is our ethical obligation as librarians to teach the appropriate uses of technology. This factor makes me think of the ITSE standard of being a “Digital Citizen.” Not only do we teach using technology as a tool but also we teach how to use it appropriately and ethically.

~Factor 4 is “Support to Teachers in Shaping and Assessing Environment.” We are tasked with supporting teaching in their creating of an environment that “opens doors to learning.” We have many resources at our fingers tips to inspire and create a hub of information and various tools of technology. The AASL standard that states share knowledge is what we as librarians should model for students in our role.

~Factor 5 is “Academic Support.” This factor goes back to being able to work collaboratively and serve as a resource ourselves to teachers for the overall benefit of the students. I look forward to working alongside teachers in reinforcing skills and review ones students may not have mastered. I hope to create an extension of learning while the students are in the library where we are working as one body.

~Factor 6 is “Self as a Professional.” The AASL standard “pursue personal growth” relates so well to this last factor. Librarians as professionals should always be trying to learn and grow just like our students. The way we view our role as the librarian is also very important to our success. Dotson writes, “The prepared and confident school librarian is a professional with a unique skill set and strong position at the heart of the school.” I am blessed to become the librarian at the school I have taught Kindergarten in since it opened thirteen years ago. My heart is rooted in my school. I am genuinely excited to bring all that I am learning in this Master’s degree to create an environment of collaboration.

             While examining the standards and reflecting on the outcome of the research performed on the library science interns, I have a great starting point for me as a new librarian. I also have a new awareness of how important my job is to building an environment where all are welcomed and learning opportunities are created. Standards and expectations are high for me stepping into my role as a school librarian.

Sources:

Adams, H. R. (2016). 65 years and counting AASL and school librarians — Still champions of intellectual freedom. Knowledge Quest, 45(1), 34-41

Dotson, K. D., & Dotson-Blake, K. (2015). Factors of engagement: Professional standards and the library science internship. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve   Learning, 59(3), 54-63.

Harlan, M.A. (2015). “Literacy and media centers: School libraries”. In S. Hirsch (Ed), Information services Today: An introduction (pp. 53-61). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.