Blog Post 3: Technology Implementation Strategies

The use of technology in school libraries and classrooms continues to increase yearly.  As companies continue to create products that are geared towards learning and school-aged children, school districts, schools, and educators are more readily able to use technology to increase learning.

The article “Integrating Technology and Gaming Lessons in School a Library” encourages the use of technology in the library setting.  Librarians are no longer simply people who read stories to a group of students, or assist in checking out a book to a patron.  Now librarians are “information specialists who keep up with the constant changes in information and technology” (Mashriqi, 2011, p. 25).  In order to ensure best practice in the library, it is necessary to constantly incorporate new technology into lessons and allow students to learn how to use different forms of this technology.  After all, technology offers “a unique way for students to learn” (Mashriqi, 2011, p. 26).

When wanting to learn how to increase technology in the library setting, it is important to understand “that it takes time to build a 21^st century library”.  Technology rich libraries are not built overnight.  Those blessed to live in districts that provide a variety of resources will be able to explore new technology more easily.  Others may have to take the route Mashriqi did, and apply for grants, or ask administration for funding.  It is important to seek out this technology for your students since “using technology is like breathing”(Mashriqi, 2011, p. 26) for many of them.  Additionally, “as school librarians, it is important for us to keep students up-to-date and teach them to use technology properly” (Mashriqi, 2011, p. 26).  Building a technology collection and teaching proper use will take time and patience on the part of the librarian, but it is essential for today’s students to learn.

Librarians are at an advantage when it comes to teaching technology use and incorporating it into library lessons.  The article is quick to point out that “the school librarians’ main responsibility is to promote the love of reading and learning”, however, technology can be a “great vehicle for achieving this” (Mashriqi, 2011, p. 26).   Since librarians are not required to follow a set curriculum, as classroom teachers are, they can collaborate with the teachers to create ways to reinforce classroom ideas through technology.  Additionally, “school librarians can come up with innovative lessons that indirectly reinforce and strengthen student learning” (Mashriqi, 2011, p. 27).  Using technology is an excellent way to further classroom standards, in an engaging manner, while also teaching 21^st century skills.

The author had a variety of excellent strategies for using technology in the library, but there are a few that I could see myself implementing immediately.  The author constantly uses interactive white board game and lessons to reinforce learning.  She used this to teach library organization skills and then tested students on their knowledge using a white board game.  Once students can demonstrate understanding they are given a slip that shows mastery.  This would be a good beginning of year activity to teach students how to use the library.  Mashriqi also introduces the idea of using the whiteboard for an interactive library vocabulary game, including terms like Newbery, Caledcott, etc.  This would certainly be a more interesting way for students to learn this important library terms. 

The article also stressed the importance of hands on learning.  An excellent example of this is shown through the use of flip cameras.  If these are not available, any video device could be used.  Students created scripts based on library lessons and created a video on the topic being taught.   In the article the topic was respect, but this strategy could be applied to many lessons. This would certainly be a great, engaging technology lesson to use in the library.

Finally, Mashriqi places much emphasis on the importance of differentiated learning.  She feels this is easier to accomplish with the use of technology, since it appeals to a variety of learning styles.  Kinesthetic, visual, and auditory learners can all learn in a variety of ways when it comes to technology.  This is important to keep in mind as a school librarian, and differentiated instruction can certainly be supported in the library setting.

Whatever vehicle is used to teach technology, it essential for librarians to get on board with using it.  The future our students live in will be greatly benefited by our knowledge and use of technology in library lessons. 

Reference:

Mashriqi, K. (2011). Implementing technology and gaming lessons in a school

library. Knowledge Quest, 40(1), 24-28. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tfh&AN=66835817&scope=site