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Note from the Editor:

This feature article is unusual for the Big6 eNewsletter – we are going beyond the classroom and into the workplace to look at a real-world application of the Big6 approach to information problem solving.

The Maine Criminal Justice Academy teaches a “Methods of Instruction” course for law enforcement officers who need certification to teach courses at their own agencies. The course is taught about four times a year. Within that course Beverly Klemenc, Librarian for the Maine Criminal Justice Academy’s Media Resource Center, is responsible for teaching a two-hour module on research techniques and bibliographic citation.

In creating this guide, Beverly used the Big6 as the organizational approach, and within that, focused on research and citation (Big6 #1, #2, and #3). According to Beverly, “I wanted the students to be aware that during their lesson plan projects there was more to the research process.”

We hope that you enjoy this glimpse into the way the Big6 is used in a real-world – and high-stakes – context.

(Please click on the “mainemoi” link below to download and read the document pdf.)

mainemoi

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What does an online school librarian’s job look like? What are the daily duties and qualifications of an online school librarian?

Throughout the United States, at least 30 states have virtual or online school programs and 87 new virtual schools have developed since 2005. It is estimated that by 2019, 50 percent of high school courses will be delivered online (Christensen, Johnson and Horn, 2008). Some of the most developed online schools include the Florida Virtual School, VHS, Inc., and Michigan Virtual School. In addition, there are high tech brick and mortar high schools highlighted in various magazines such as High Tech Charter Schools in California, Denver School of Science and Technology, and Microsoft’s School of the Future in Philadelphia.

It may surprise you to learn that none of these aforementioned schools has a school librarian on staff or a space called a library. It appears that in the future, at high tech schools, or in online schools, neither libraries nor teacher librarians are part of the equation. However, one exception to this seeming trend is the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, an innovative high school that opened in 2006 that has both a library and a school librarian.

The School of the Future thought carefully about the role of the library and the library media specialist in this new educational frontier. Microsoft’s Mary Cullinane explains, “When you use the word library, people immediately get the sense that I need to physically go to a place to access information or do research; in the world in which these kids are going to exist after they graduate, that is a ridiculous idea.”

Over the next several issues of the Big6 eNewsletter, we will apply the Big6 to discover what an online school librarian’s job might look like, and we want to hear what you think — your input will guide the future articles. We Big6ers are future thinkers, so let’s seize the opportunity to define our virtual teacher-librarian role in online schools.

First, look at several online or “high tech” schools in the list below. While the differences between these virtual schools and traditional bricks-and-mortar institutions will certainly be obvious, think also about how online schools are similar to traditional schools, and how the school teacher-librarian might play a role in the student experience.

• Florida Virtual School
• High Tech Charter High School, California
• Denver Science and Technology School
• Microsoft’s School of the Future, Philadelphia
• Science Leadership Academy, Philadelphia

Then, think about the question in terms of Big6.

The Task Definition is: What is the role of the teacher-librarian in an online high school?

For Information Seeking Strategies, examples of how teacher-librarians have been integral for online schools would be helpful.

For Location and Access, read these sources to identify ways teacher-librarians can serve important roles in online schools:

Matthew, Victoria and Schroeder Ann. “The Embedded Librarian Program.” Educause. (2006) Retrieved June 1, 2008 from: http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eqm06410.pdf

YouTube Videos:

• Prototyping the Future
• Did You Know
• A Vision of K-12 Students Today
• Information R/evolution

Christensen, C., Johnson, C., and Horn, M. (2008). Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns. McGraw-Hill. ISBN-13: 9780071592062.

I look forward to reading your ideas and examples. Please add them to my blog.

Links:
Watson, J.F. and Ryan, J. (2007). Keeping pace with K-12 online learning. Evergreen Consulting Associates. Retrieved March 1, 2008
from http://www.nacol.org/docs/KeepingPace07-color.pdf.

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Public and school libraries exist within a complicated federal policy landscape. Library funding and the way libraries do business can be affected by changes in education, telecommunications, and many other areas of federal policy. Communicating with Congress is one of the unique rights and privileges afforded by our democracy. In the case of federal library issues, it is vital that all people who support libraries stay informed and involved. If you chose to become a library advocate, you will learn that it is a satisfying and fun way to support libraries, so get involved!

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As adult teachers and learners, how often are we required to collect, analyze, evaluate and synthesize information to make a decision or solve a problem, and share our conclusions with others? Employers expect our graduates to have these skills, as reflected in the AASL foundational common belief, “Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs.” The NETS standards emphasize “communication and collaboration” as well as “critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.” Read how the Big6 fits into the scene to reinforce the development of essential problem-solving skills.

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Every few news cycles, a politician, historian, journalist, or other prominent figure is accused of plagiarism. These spotlight events provide excellent opportunities to open a discussion about academic integrity with your students. If your school does not already have a policy in place for academic integrity, it can be an opportune time to advocate for one with your administration and faculty.

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This seminar will prepare you to implement active, dynamic, and focused Big6 instructional programs across the K-12 curriculum. Check our group rates when (4) or more attend from one district or organization. Click this story title to read more…..

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Guide your students to use a Big6 Evaluation Checklist to analyze their own work before they turn it in. This month we’d like to highlight some handy Big6 checklists from the Big6 Kids Feature Stories section.

CLICK HERE to find the 5 Big6 Checklists

in “Feature Section: Evaluation”

Big6 Checklist titles:

Checklist for Evaluating a Writing Assignment. Grades 7 - 12

Checklist for Evaluating a Writing Assignment. Grades 3 - 6

Checklist for Evaluating a Science Fair Project

Checklist for Completing Any Assignment

Checklist for Evaluating the Big6 Process

Big6 Checklists in “Feature: Evaluation” by Barbara Jansen. Big6.com/kids (2003)

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This article describes how to collaborate to incorporate information literacy into the higher education curriculum, and shares a practical method for doing so.

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