It was overwhelming, yet also invigorating, commencing the Master of Education (Teacher Librarianship) as a distance student online stepping outside my comfort zone using many new technological applications (Galimi, 2020d). Completing ETL501 The Dynamic Information Environment (Charles Sturt University, n.d.) was a real turning point for me (Galimi, 2021). I changed from feeling out of my depth, to realising technology presented endless possibilities to engage students and to develop 21st century learners and is the best part of the role, propelling me to learn more. However, access to technology is not a level playing field (Galimi, 2020c). The ability of the school community to access the virtual library must be considered. Schools implementing a bring your own device (BYOD) policy presents favourable conditions for a virtual library. Alternatively, student access to technology at school can also create the need for access to online resources that they would not have access to at home.
Completion of ETL501 coincided with pandemic lockdowns, yielding the perfect opportunity to create a library website using Google sites linked to the College webpage. The idea of 24/7 access to the library (Galimi, 2020f), using technology to provide online access to the library catalogue and digital resources, can substantially benefit the school community. A virtual library presence gives teacher librarians the ability to connect with students and teachers, to promote resources, promotions, library achievements, services, and collections, and be fully embedded within daily school life.
Technology nurtures students through the process of guided inquiry from planning through to the final product (FitzGerald, 2019, p.17). Online educational databases such as Britannica Schools (Britannica Education, n.d.), Gale in Context: High School (Gale, n.d.), and JSTOR for Secondary Schools (JSTOR, n.d.) are digital tools that provide reliable and credible information for teaching, learning, inquiry, and research.
Engage students to create with Canva (Canva, 2023), combining ICT skills and information literacy. As per the slideshow below, students read the Little People, BIG DREAMS (Little People, BIG DREAMS, n.d.) series of books as inspiration and a launchpad to further research using scaffolds to then create a slideshow presentation to share with the class.
For younger primary students, using school library software Softlink’s Orbit (Softlink, n.d.) and Oliver (Softlink, n.d.) is an important way to find information via books or to search and find the book they are seeking (Galimi, 2022). Teacher librarians can generate data for reporting purposes to record borrowing statistics and most popular books.
Instagram Teacherlibrarianjanet (Janet Mg, n.d.)
Facebook Teacher Librarian Janet (Mg, n.d.)
LinkedIn Janet Galimi (Galimi, n.d.)
Janet Galimi (Galimi, n.d.)
Social media can be used to promote the library to the school community, while also demonstrating accountability in practice (Galimi, 2020). At the start of the course, I struggled to find my own academic voice and did not feel comfortable ‘putting myself out there’ on social media amongst peers. Gradually with the support of amazing lecturers like Jennie Bale, my own informed opinions and academic voice gradually emerged. I joined professional networks starting by following the ongoing commentary, proving to be invaluable when I started as a sole teacher librarian.
The way that we use and produce information resources is constantly changing due to continual developments in digital resources. I have discovered so many interesting web 2.0 applications during this course (Galimi, 2020a) including Padlet (Padlet, n.d.), Animoto (Animoto, n.d.), Vimeo (vimeo, n.d.) and Evernote (Evernote, n.d.). It has been a huge learning curve for me. There are others that I am keen to try: Mindmeister (MeisterLabs, n.d.), and iRubric (iRubric, n.d.).
During the pandemic, google classroom enabled book week celebrations (see Facebook video below) and Lego club to go ahead virtually. Canva (Canva, 2023) a free resource for educators, can be used for creating promotional materials for the library such as the newsletter (St. Charbel’s College, 2021) item below sent to parents via the school app. I created the video below using iMovie by Apple (Apple, n.d.).
Recently a small collection of ebooks was implemented to support a student with low vision, enabling the student to use the function of enlarging the text and providing access to a wide range of books not possible with the use of enlarged text print books. When considering the introduction of digital resources to a school library, there are many factors to consider such as accessibility, budget and support for implementation (Galimi, 2022b).
I struggled during the course to find a way to keep track of all of the amazing articles, resources and websites (Galimi, 2020b) I was coming across such as Diverse BookFinder (Diverse BookFinder, n.d.), Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource (National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature, n.d.-a) and Cultural Diversity Database (National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature (National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature, n.d.-b). ETL501 introduced me to the social bookmarking site, Pearltrees (Teacherlibrarianjanet, n.d.) embedded below, to create lists that could be shared in many ways. ETL501 introduced me to readability tools such as WebFX readability test (WebFX, n.d.) to determine resources match student needs (Galimi, 2020g).
Advancements in adaptive technologies from eBook readers and publishers facilitates access for vulnerable populations, most impacted when eBooks become less accessible (Jones, 2021, p.185-202). I introduced a collection of eBooks to support a primary student with low vision. She was unable to read books, as the magnifier that she was using could not enlarge the text to the size she required. After the initial adjustment to using the app, she is now an avid reader and has become a leader amongst her peers demonstrating how to use the app to read on devices. Her confidence has bloomed, and she has grown from a struggling reader to advanced reader. Most importantly, she is not missing out or feeling different compared with her fellow students.
References
Animoto. (n.d.). Easily create professional videos. Animoto. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://animoto.com/
Apple. (n.d.). IMovie. Apple (Australia). Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.apple.com/au/imovie/
Britannica Education. (n.d.). Britannica school. Britannica Education. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://britannicaeducation.com/britannica-school/
Canva. (2023, September 14). What will you design today? Canva. https://www.canva.com/
Charles Sturt University. (n.d.). ETL501 The dynamic information environment (8). Charles Sturt University. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.csu.edu.au/handbook/handbook19/subjects/ETL501.html
Diverse BookFinder. (n.d.). Search the collection. Diverse BookFinder. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://diversebookfinder.org/books/
Evernote. (n.d.). Tame your work, organize your life. Evernote. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://evernote.com/
FitzGerald, L. (2019). Guided inquiry goes global: Evidence-based practice in action. Libraries Unlimited.
Gale. (n.d.). Gale In Context: High School. Gale. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.gale.com/intl/c/student-resources-in-context
Galimi, J. (n.d.). Janet Galimi. LinkedIn. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-galimi-560264194/
Galimi, J. (2020a, May 21). Information literacy & multiliteracies. Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2020/05/21/information-literacy/
Galimi, J. (2020b, May 23). Wow! Spiderscribe! Can this be the solution to keeping my thoughts together and not losing them? Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2020/05/23/wow-spiderscribe-can-this-be-the-solution-to-keeping-my-thoughts-together-and-not-loosing-them/
Galimi, J. (2020c, May 25). Critical reflection: Information literacy, information literacy models and the role of the teacher librarian. Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2020/05/25/critical-reflection-information-literacy-information-literacy-models-and-the-role-of-the-teacher-librarian/
Galimi, J. (2020d, May 25). I never thought I would be doing this! Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2020/05/25/i-never-thought-i-would-be-doing-this/
Galimi, J. (2020e, September 3). Teacher Librarian Janet. X (Formerly Twitter). https://twitter.com/teacherlibjanet
Galimi, J. (2020f, October 8). Module 6: 24/7 library access. Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2020/10/08/module-6-24-7-library-access/
Galimi, J. (2020g, October 9). ETL 501 assessment 2: Critical reflection. Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2020/10/09/etl-501-assessment-2-critical-reflection/
Galimi, J. (2021, July 28). Wow..such a change in a year! Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2021/07/28/wow-such-a-change-in-a-year/
Galimi, J. (2022a, March 3). Responsibility for resource selection – engaging learners. Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2022/03/03/responsibility-for-resource-selection-engaging-learners/
Galimi, J. (2022b, July 25). Digital literature 101. Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2022/07/25/digital-literature-101/
iRubric. (n.d.). IRubric. IRubric. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.rcampus.com/indexrubric.cfm?
Jones, E. (2021). Vending vs lending how can public libraries improve access to ebooks within their collections? Public Library Quarterly, 40(3), 185–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2020.1782702
JSTOR. (n.d.). JSTOR for secondary schools. JSTOR. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://about.jstor.org/secondaryschools/
Little People, BIG DREAMS. (n.d.). Little people, big dreams—Be bold, be brave, dream big! Little People, BIG DREAMS. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://littlepeoplebigdreams.com/
MeisterLabs. (n.d.). Collaborative mind mapping. MindMeister. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.mindmeister.com/
Mg, J. (n.d.-a). Teacher Librarian Janet. Facebook. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.facebook.com/teacherlibrarianjanet
Mg, J. (n.d.-b). Teacherlibrarianjanet. Instagram. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.instagram.com/teacherlibrarianjanet/
National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature. (n.d.-a). Aboriginal and or torres strait islander resource. National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.ncacl.org.au/atsi-resource/
National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature. (n.d.-b). NCACL cultural diversity database. National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.ncacl.org.au/cd-database/
Padlet. (n.d.). Padlet: Beauty will save the work. Padlet. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://padlet.com/
Softlink. (n.d.). Orbit Junior Interface For Oliver v5 Library Software. Softlink. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.softlinkint.com/product/orbit/
Animoto. (n.d.). Easily create professional videos. Animoto. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://animoto.com/
Apple. (n.d.). IMovie. Apple (Australia). Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.apple.com/au/imovie/
Britannica Education. (n.d.). Britannica School. Britannica Education. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://britannicaeducation.com/britannica-school/
Canva. (2023, September 14). What will you design today? Canva. https://www.canva.com/
Charles Sturt University. (n.d.). ETL501 The dynamic information environment (8). Charles Sturt University. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.csu.edu.au/handbook/handbook19/subjects/ETL501.html
Diverse BookFinder. (n.d.). Search the collection. Diverse BookFinder. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://diversebookfinder.org/books/
Evernote. (n.d.). Tame your work, organize your life. Evernote. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://evernote.com/
FitzGerald, L. (2019). Guided inquiry goes global: Evidence-based practice in action. Libraries Unlimited.
Gale. (n.d.). Gale in context: High school. Gale. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.gale.com/intl/c/student-resources-in-context
Galimi, J. (n.d.). Janet Galimi. LinkedIn. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-galimi-560264194/
Galimi, J. (2020a, May 21). Information literacy & multiliteracies. Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2020/05/21/information-literacy/
Galimi, J. (2020b, May 23). Wow! Spiderscribe! Can this be the solution to keeping my thoughts together and not losing them? Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2020/05/23/wow-spiderscribe-can-this-be-the-solution-to-keeping-my-thoughts-together-and-not-loosing-them/
Galimi, J. (2020c, May 25). Critical reflection: Information literacy, information literacy models and the role of the teacher librarian. Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2020/05/25/critical-reflection-information-literacy-information-literacy-models-and-the-role-of-the-teacher-librarian/
Galimi, J. (2020d, May 25). I never thought I would be doing this! Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2020/05/25/i-never-thought-i-would-be-doing-this/
Galimi, J. (2020e, September 3). Teacher Librarian Janet. X (Formerly Twitter). https://twitter.com/teacherlibjanet
Galimi, J. (2020f, October 8). Module 6: 24/7 library access. Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2020/10/08/module-6-24-7-library-access/
Galimi, J. (2020g, October 9). ETL 501 assessment 2: Critical reflection. Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2020/10/09/etl-501-assessment-2-critical-reflection/
Galimi, J. (2021, July 28). Wow..such a change in a year! Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2021/07/28/wow-such-a-change-in-a-year/
Galimi, J. (2022a, March 3). Responsibility for resource selection – engaging learners. Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2022/03/03/responsibility-for-resource-selection-engaging-learners/
Galimi, J. (2022b, July 25). Digital literature 101. Teacher + Librarian. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/thelearningteacherlibrarian/2022/07/25/digital-literature-101/
iRubric. (n.d.). IRubric. IRubric. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.rcampus.com/indexrubric.cfm?
Jones, E. (2021). Vending vs lending how can public libraries improve access to ebooks within their collections? Public Library Quarterly, 40(3), 185–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2020.1782702
JSTOR. (n.d.). JSTOR for secondary schools. JSTOR. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://about.jstor.org/secondaryschools/
Little People, BIG DREAMS. (n.d.). Little people, big dreams—Be bold, be brave, dream big! Little People, BIG DREAMS. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://littlepeoplebigdreams.com/
MeisterLabs. (n.d.). Collaborative mind mapping. MindMeister. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.mindmeister.com/
Mg, J. (n.d.-a). Teacher Librarian Janet. Facebook. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.facebook.com/teacherlibrarianjanet
Mg, J. (n.d.-b). Teacherlibrarianjanet. Instagram. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.instagram.com/teacherlibrarianjanet/
National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature. (n.d.-a). Aboriginal and or torres strait islander resource. National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.ncacl.org.au/atsi-resource/
National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature. (n.d.-b). NCACL cultural diversity database. National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.ncacl.org.au/cd-database/
Padlet. (n.d.). Padlet: Beauty will save the work. Padlet. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://padlet.com/
Softlink. (n.d.). Orbit Junior Interface For Oliver v5 Library Software. Softlink. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.softlinkint.com/product/orbit/
St. Charbel’s College. (2021). Issue 13, Term 4—15 October 2021. https://www.stcharbel.nsw.edu.au/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/documents/newsletters/2021/Issue%2013%20Term%204%20October%202021.pdf
Teacherlibrarianjanet. (n.d.). Teacherlibrarianjanet. Pearltrees. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from http://www.pearltrees.com/teacherlibrarianjanet
vimeo. (n.d.). Video simplified. Vimeo. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://vimeo.com/ WebFX. (n.d.). Readability Test. WebFX. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from https://www.webfx.com/tools/read-able/
Teacher Librarian Janet 
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