school libraries & learner agency

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School Libraries & Learner Agency Nancy White 21 st Century Learning & Innovation Specialist Academy School District 20 Twitter: @NancyW #jeffcok12 Photo by Fancy Jantzi, CC licensed on Flickr

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School libraries are the heart of learner agency in a school.

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Page 1: School Libraries & Learner Agency

School Libraries & Learner Agency

Nancy White 21st Century Learning &

Innovation Specialist Academy School District 20

Twitter: @NancyW

#jeffcok12

Photo by Fancy Jantzi, CC licensed on Flickr

Presenter
Presentation Notes
I may have a fancy title – but by profession, I am a school librarian. I have worked in my current position for the past 4 years, making a shift from helping students develop their 21st century skills in a library environment to helping teachers to create the kind of learning environments where 21st century skills can flourish.
Page 2: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Think- Pair - Share

Learner Agency is to future success as _________________ is to __________________

#jeffcok12

Presenter
Presentation Notes
As Len shared…………. Let’s think about that a little more.
Page 3: School Libraries & Learner Agency

2007: AASL Reveals New Standards

Presenter
Presentation Notes
I want to share with you today two documents you may not be familiar with, but hopefully, you will start to see that these documents can searver a road map to the Learner Agency you are seeking for your students. The first of these is the Standards for the 21st Century Learner. In 2007, the American Association for School Librarians came out with a new mission statement and standards. These standards were not meant to stand alone or to be carried out just by the teacher-librarian in a school, but need to be owned by everyone in a school setting.
Page 4: School Libraries & Learner Agency

AASL Mission for School Libraries

“The mission of the school library program is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information; students are empowered to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information.”

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The mission statement embodies the very definition of Learner Agency. The library PROGRAM, (which reaches into every corner of the school), exists to EMPOWER students to be Critical Thinkers ENTHUSIASTIC readers SKILLFUL researchers and ETHICAL users of information
Page 5: School Libraries & Learner Agency

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner

• Think

• Create

• Share

• Grow

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The standards document contains just 4 active standards, that can be summed up with these 4 verbs: 21st Century Learners can: Think Create Share, and Grow To accomplish each of these, they must access or use Skills Dispositions in Action Responsibilities Self-Assessment Strategies
Page 6: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Learner Agency

Safe Environment

Dispositions

Skills

Responsibilities

Self-Assessment

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Although we did not label it as such at the time, I believe now that this document was foundational in defining a learning environment where Learner Agency can flourish.
Page 7: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Photo by Mamamusings, CC licensed on Flickr

Page 8: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Colorado response to AASL Standards

• Vision Committee Looked At: • Skills • Dispositions in Action • Responsibilities • Self-Assessment Strategies

Photo by Fancy Jantzi, CC licensed on Flickr

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Spring 2008 – a group of teacher-librarians, technology teachers, classroom teachers from every level, administrators, and CDE personnel were convened in Colorado to dig deeply into the new standards. The group unanimously agreed to adopt the AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner. The next steps would be to organize into subcommittees to create an action plan to carry out the new standards. A vision committee was the first to form. Here is what they came to realize: Too frequently in schools, the focus is on “covering content” rather than uncovering. Assignments don’t require students to think at higher levels. Students are not given choice in how they learn, or how they show their learning. Library schedules are fixed and student time for independent exploration and self-directed learning is limited. It occurred to the group that to give students an opportunity to practice and master these new standards, to truly empower our students, something within this learning environment needed to change.
Page 9: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Learners have Rights!

Presenter
Presentation Notes
It had become clear that something was missing in all of the content standards, educational plans, and accountability processes in education to assure students could really develop into 21st century learners. The vision subcommittee pondered over what they could communicate or create to help Colorado educators realize that something needed to change so students truly would be able to develop these 21st century skills. The group identified this simple fact: LEARNERS HAVE RIGHTS! So much of a student’s school experience is contained within boundaries of time and place. Students stop their learning at the end of a unit or class period. They don’t think of themselves as learners outside the classroom walls. Yet, they are learning all of the time. We needed a way to communicate not stop—but GO!
Page 10: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Think Create

Share Grow

The Learner Has the RIGHT to…

Learners have rights!

Educators must create the conditions for them to do so.

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Here is where the group started. A vision statement was drafted: We ALL exist to inquire, create new knowledge, share knowledge and participate productively, and to pursue personal and organizational growth. The new standards speak of responsibilities –but what about RIGHTS? The Vision Sub-Committee members were: Jody Gehrig, Gene Hainer, Jody Howard, Becky Johnson, Stevan Kalmon, and Wendy Lee. Jody Gehrig lead this effort. Sadly, she lost her battle with cancer in February, 2010, but her passion for empowering students to learn lives on in this work. From Jody Gehrig: These are learners who have a right to learn. if we as teachers want to be effective with our learners, WE must take the responsibility to construct inquiry learning experiences for them that allow them to blossom as learners. These experiences go much farther than just illustrating the right they value most. We as teachers and learning community leaders must guide their work so they can develop into 21st century learners.
Page 11: School Libraries & Learner Agency

The Learner’s Bill of Rights committee:

• Chair: Jody Gehrig, Director of Libraries, Denver Public

Schools • Mary Beth Bazzanella, District Office, Jeffco School

District • Cheri Hilton, South High School, Denver Public Schools • Nance Nassar, State Library • Carol Peterson, Instructional Technology, Poudre

School District • Nancy White, ET-IL Information Literacy Specialist,

District Office, Academy 20 School District

Presenter
Presentation Notes
At this point, their work was passed on to a new group, The Learner’s Bill of Rights subcommittee, also chaired by Jody. We were delighted that Jeffco’s very own Mary Beth Bazzanella was a part of this group as well!
Page 12: School Libraries & Learner Agency
Presenter
Presentation Notes
After an intense brainstorming session, followed by a great deal of word-smithing and refinement, the Learner’s Bill of Rights was born. Let’s take a closer look – and see if you can see Learner Agency come ALIVE in these simple statements.
Page 13: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Question and be curious

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The Learner has the Right to… Question and be Curious. Students come to the library every single day with questions. What book should I read? How can I find information on this or that? Why do some nations not have daylight savings time? Why is the sky blue? And so on, and on, and on! In classrooms, I think this is quite different. Content has to be covered. Standards met. Schedules adhered to. During the last 3 years, I had the opportunity to observe in hundreds of classrooms in my district, specifically looking for examples of 21st century learning in action. Sadly, I can probably count on one hand the number of times a student asked a question, other than just to clarify what needed to be done for an assignment. Yet teachers find ways – such as through question walls using post-it notes – for students to ask their questions, which later could be addressed in class, or students might be given time in the library to seek answers. We must find ways to keep student questioning and curiosity alive inside the walls of our school – where support systems exist to help students in their pursuit of answers.
Page 14: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Have personal ideas

Photo by Mountain Ridge Library

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The Learner has the Right to… Have personal ideas. A friend once suggested that this might better be stated as “EXPRESS” personal ideas. This is a great idea, too – but as I recall, the reason our committee settled on HAVE personal ideas is that we believed that somewhere along the way in formal educational settings, students forget that their ideas matter – and it is really OK to have personal ideas and opinions! Once they get in touch with those personal ideas –then, yes! Let’s help them express them!
Page 15: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Choose how to learn and share understanding

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The Learner has the Right to… Choose How To Learn and Share Understanding Choice. Where, oh where, does this fit in a standards-based, scope-and-sequence world? Creative teachers find a way. And—Thank GOODNESS for SCHOOL LIBRARIES! Libraries have always been about giving students choice in what they read and how they learn. Multiple genres, points of view, fiction and non-fiction, print or digital. Today’s libraries add multiple ways to show understanding, to showcase the student voice, create in makerspaces, and share with a global audience.
Page 16: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Plan and participate in learning at an appropriate level

Presenter
Presentation Notes
The Learner has the Right to… Plan and Participate in Learning at an Appropriate Level. Wow! THIS IS LEARNER AGENCY. Students set learning goals, following their own learning passions. They go about meeting those goals – and have the appropriate level resources available to help them meet those goals. SCHOOL LIBRARIES are ESSENTIAL to this LEARNER RIGHT.
Page 17: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Grapple with challenging ideas or concepts

Photo by Fancy Jantzi, CC Licensed on Flickr

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Learners have a right to….Grapple with challenging ideas or concepts. In school libraries, students can find the resources and help they need to go beyond class requirements – or simply explore a topic they are passionate about. In libraries, students explore topics in-depth, and strive to make sense of ideas and concepts.
Page 18: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Access the information and resources needed

Photo by Buffy Hamilton, CC Licensed on Flickr

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Accessing information

Curating!

Low Agency High Agency

Based on chart by By Ronald J. Bonnstetter: Available http://wolfweb.unr.edu/homepage/jcannon/ejse/bonnstetter.html

Page 20: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Participate in and contribute to a learning network

Photo by San Mateo, CC licensed on Flickr

Photo by Buffy Hamilton, CC licensed on Flickr

Page 21: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Think critically, solve problems and make decisions

CC Photo from Wikipedia, Gulliver Academy

Presenter
Presentation Notes
If we want our students to think critically….then what must we do? (PAUSE – THINK PAIR SHARE) WE HAVE TO DESIGN LEARNING THAT ALLOWS THEM TO CRITICALLY THINK. NOT LECTURE. NOT LISTENING TO VIDEOS. THEY NEED TO DO HANDS-ON PROBLEM SOLVING. AND—THEY HAVE TO CARE ABOUT THE OUTCOME. IF YOU WANT THEM TO DIG DEEP AND THINK HARD, YOU BETTER BELIEVE THEY NEED TO CARE ABOUT IT. SO…REAL WORLD RELEVANCE.
Page 22: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Make mistakes and learn from them

Flickr CC Licensed Picture by Buffy Hamilton, The UnQuiet Library

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Have you ever wondered exactly what it is about gaming that attracts and enthralls us? A student made this comment, “In the classroom, I feel like I’m being forced to learn. When I’m gaming, I feel like I’m using ‘it’. I don’t feel myself being forced. “ Gaming is not just a safe environment for students to make mistakes and learn from them –its fun! Many of our libraries are recognizing the importance of this, and setting up gaming spaces for learners. Here, students are empowered to learn – on their terms.
Page 23: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Reflect on learning

Microsoft Clipart

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Learners have the right to…Reflect on their learning. We need to pause. After the final project is done and the grade is recorded, do you ever stop and ask your students – what did you learn? What surprised you? What did you connect with? What will you DO with this new information? Why does it matter? Often, this is where students can take a breath, and make the connections that are so important to file that information in their brains where they can access it again in the future. Libraries can be sanctuaries for student reflection.
Page 24: School Libraries & Learner Agency

This is what agency looks like in a school library!

Picture cc licensed by Alaska Library Association on Flickr

Presenter
Presentation Notes
If Learner agency = empowering students And Agency specifically is The power to make choices – this is what happens in school libraries every day! Teacher-librarians create the conditions and the environment where students are empowered… To solve their own problems and find answers to their questions. Students collaborate, network, share, and grow – not just to meet the requirements of a class, but also following their own needs for understanding. I remember Carolyn coming into the library trying to find everything she could about the state of Virginia. She was going to move there with her family at the end of the school year. I remember Janelle, who’s mother with diagnosed with breast cancer. She had so many questions and concerns. She didn’t understand what was happening to her mother, why the treatment made her so sick. She struggled with finding information online, and when she did, it was too hard to understand. In the school library, she was able to find books written at a level she could understand, and get the support she needed in this difficult time. I remember Robert, who learned about Japanese internment camps during World War II in class, and was surprised to learn from his father that he had a relative who was sent to one. The textbook information was limited, and so he sought help in the library to find the information he needed, to learn in a deeper way since he discovered this personal connection. And then there was Jason, who was fiercely proud of his air force father – and just wanted to learn everything that there was to learn about the air force, jets, and flying. He sought to understand why his Dad was deployed in Iraq, and sort through the multiple mixed messages in the newspapers and online about why this was right, and why it was wrong. There are a million other stories of how the school library has helped children with their personal information needs.
Page 25: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Nick Rate, principal at Kumeroa-Hopelands School in New Zealand wrote:

“Some of the key words that describe student agency:

enabling, empowering, self-monitoring, goals, feedback, meta-cognition, active,

responsive, self-directed and meaningful.”

Rate, Nick. (2013, June 4). “Student Agency.” Available http://nickrate.com/author/nick/

Page 26: School Libraries & Learner Agency

In the school library, students…

• Are enabled

Picture cc licensed by Matthiu Aubry on Flickr

Presenter
Presentation Notes
These students stories that I’ve shared are evidence of this.
Page 27: School Libraries & Learner Agency

In the school library, students…

• Are empowered

Pictures cc licensed by Alaska Library Association on Flickr

Page 28: School Libraries & Learner Agency

In the school library, students…

• Practice self-monitoring

Pictures cc licensed by Alaska Library Association on Flickr

Page 29: School Libraries & Learner Agency

In the school library, students…

• Set and follow goals

Pictures cc licensed by Alaska Library Association on Flickr

Page 30: School Libraries & Learner Agency

In the school library, students… • Receive feedback

Picture cc licensed by Alaska Library Association on Flickr

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In the school library, students…

• Are guided to practice meta-cognition

Pictures cc licensed by Alaska Library Association on Flickr

Page 32: School Libraries & Learner Agency

In the school library, students…

• Are active

Pictures cc licensed by Alaska Library Association on Flickr

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In the school library, students…

• Are responsive

Picture cc licensed by Alaska Library Association on Flickr

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In the school library, students…

• Are self-directed

Pictures cc licensed by Alaska Library Association on Flickr

Page 35: School Libraries & Learner Agency

In the school library, students…

• Find Meaning

Pictures cc licensed by Alaska Library Association on Flickr

Page 36: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Think- Pair - Share

Libraries are to Learner Agency as _________________ is to __________________

#jeffcok12

Page 37: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Here’s What it Looks Like

Arvada West High School Library Susie Lackey, Teacher-Librarian

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Lets take a look at Learner Agency in Action right here at Arvada West High School in your school library, under the leadership of Teacher-Librarian, Susie Lackey! PLAY VIDEO Libraries truly are the heart of LEARNER AGENCY in a school. Learner Agency is ALIVE and THRIVES in your libraries.
Page 38: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Reflect-now its your turn

• What’s one or two things you are going to do next week to increase your students agency?

• How might you work with your school library to accomplish this?

tinyurl.com/librariesandlearneragency

Page 39: School Libraries & Learner Agency

Thank You! Nancy White

Twitter: @NancyW Blog: d20innovation.d20blogs.org/