Activity 1 – Webinar: constructivist learning in the curriculum
- literacy underpins all that we do
- need to be able to read words, images, videos, sounds
- Bloom’s digital taxonomy – problem and project based learning in the 21st century
- active participant – construct knowledge actively, rather than mechanically
- 21st century curriculum is outcomes based
- project based learning (PBL) is a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world challneges
Activity 2 – Inquiry learning
- Collins et al. (2008) state that: ‘Inquiry learning can be an effective form of tuition for acquiring intuitive, deep, conceptual knowledge’, and that ‘inquiry learning across the school curriculum is becoming a widely recommended approach’. Like other approaches to learning, inquiry-based learning is defined in different ways by researchers and practitioners, but the focus of inquiry-based learning is on the students using a range of skills and abilities to complete a task or solve a problem. There is an obvious connection here between inquiry learning and information literacy as both involve higher order thinking skills such as question formulation, evaluating information and building new knowledge. We will explore information literacy in depth later in this subject. Meanwhile, this video shows a teacher librarian in action – using a variety of tools and strategies to promote 21st century inquiry learning.
- Video on farting shows how students need to:
– locate
– select
– evaluate
– synthesize information
Activity 3 – Curriculum Corporation
Nothing there.
Activity 4 – Forum discussion
* How do the dimensions of quality teaching relate to inquiry learning and project-based learning approaches?
– professional teachers keep up-to-date with new/emerging pedagogy and are willing to try different approaches such as with inquiry learning and project-based learning
* What is an appropriate role for the teacher librarian in curriculum development?
– TL needs to be involved in any school-wide scope and sequence in order to be able to resource the library appropriately
– TL can advise what resources are currently available and if not suggest a budget to have more material included.
* What benefits can a school obtain from the active involvement of the teacher librarian in curriculum development?
– time management – TL can find resources easier
– collaboration eases the work load
* Should a principal expect that teachers would plan units of work with the teacher librarian?
– definitely, but this doesn’t always happen
* How are students disadvantaged in schools that exclude the teacher librarian from curriculum development?
– TL is unable to support students who come to the library looking for help
– TL has not prepared lessons to support the learning that is currently happening in class
– there may be no resources available to the students as the TL was unaware of the topic