This page outlines Situated Professional Practice hours and activities conducted at each site. It also contains the Learning Hubs Feedback Log for Assignment 2.

Site 1

Date
Hours
Activity
16/3
1hr
TL interview
20/3
45min
Discussion about pedagogy/planning lessons
21/3
3hrs
Circulation desk, borrowing routine, shown how to catalogue and cover a book
18/4
1hr
Made new borrower shelf markers
4/5
3hrs
Principal interview, TL showing me cataloguing, shelving
9/5
2hrs
Two classes including borrowing.
17/5
5hrs
Dewey decimal lesson, 2 read-a-thon lesson, Cataloguing myself, covering, planning lessons for following week
24/5
3hrs
Lesson about book title/author, Reconciliation week book display
30/5
2hrs
Observed ordering process, invoice organisation
4/6
3hrs
Planning for term 3 with teachers










Learning Hubs Assignment 2: Wiki Feedback log
Supplied to Melinda Ross - Tuesday, 05/29/2012 11:22 AM by Katherine Terwin
Hiya Melinda. I think this is excellent. You have really used evidence to back up your statements, clearly outlined implications and what you would do as the TL. I like the fact that this is strictly about ICT and you haven’t include irrelevant information – this is something I need to do for the assignment..i just get so carried away. Just a few pointers below, I hope it helps and I hope it’s right. :)
“I was keen to see how this role of the TL was pursued at my site” – unclear what role? Is it making sense of info rich world, using info resources, scouting technology or being cybersmart. Might need a brief statement to explain.
Check position of (2009) for alia asla reference and if needs para/page number for direct quote
“TLs spoke of the challenge they have..”does this need to be referenced?
I like how you’ve use points to give examples. Maybe for section with only 2 points you could try to incorporate into main text to make more coherent and not as segemented?? Really not sure tho…just a thought.
Might need to look at/reword last para. You have ‘effect change’ twice and effect change and effective practioner might need rewording. Also there is something about ‘ironically’ that jumps out at me but just cant describe, I understand what you mean but maybe a different word or you don’t need at all.
I hope this helps a little. It already sounds great. Good Luck!!

Received from Melinda Ross to Katherine Terwin - Monday, 05/28/2012 10:02 PM
Hi Kath, I really enjoyed reading your reflections. I think this is a really insightful comment on the unique role that your TL plays at your school and a role that truly demonstrates the attributes of good leadership. Just a couple of things you may like to think about:

1. the statement about the TL being a valued and respected member of the school community - do you need to back this up? (I think I made a similar 'value judgement' statement in our assignment and needed to back it up?)

2. You mention the TL needs to learn more about technologies and ICT integration ....are there any particular obstacles that prevent her from doing so ..... time/budget issues? ..... or are there particular areas she wants to focus on as a first step. Perhaps you could explain a little more on how you would achieve better leadership in the area of ICT integration

3. Great link to your Wiki comment. Perhaps where you say "The following points are examples of the TL showing leadership to support the comment above" could be changed to ...... "My view of the TL being a culturally responsive leader is based on my observations of the TL undertaking the following actions....." I think it is just a matter of saying your belief is based on observing her positive leadership actions, rather than saying her actions support your belief statement. Does this make sense??

4. Are there any supporting artefacts that you could use to demonstrate some of the TL's actions in terms of cultural leadership ...eg displays, photos of events, childrens reflections on events etc. Just a thought......

5. how would you imporove your cultural knowledg and experience -- perhaps an area to expand on in your learning plan?

Hope these comments might help in some way. As I said, really interesting insights and very unique role.

Melinda

Received from Hilary Hughes - In original text. Edited by Hilary Hughes on Wednesday, 05/30/2012 5:37 PM
Leadership - Standard 3.3 (to provide focus for your reader, show the full statement, ie demonstrate leadership within school and professional communities)
Include a brief introduction to this standard, in a general sense, before discussing your site
To set up a clear flow of ideas, move from general to specific, eg rearrange the sentences in the first para: O'Connor ... This highlights ... The TL at site 1... Having 17 years experience...
The TL at Site 1 is a highly respected and valued member of the school community. O’Connor (2007, p.3) acknowledges that TL’s “current responsibilities require unusually high leadership knowledge and skills”. This highlights the important role TLs undertake as knowledge leaders and multifaceted, specialised experts. Having 17 years experience, the TL at Site 1 has expert knowledge in her field. Although not a member of the leadership team, she works collaboratively with the Principal, staff and community and is actively involved in decision making processes (explain how, a brief example). The Principal considers the TL a leader as working across all classes means she must be abreast of school wide issues, curriculum and resource development (Principal, Site 1, 2012). Donham (2008) supports the Principal’s thoughts and suggests effective leadership skills that I consider the TL conveys. These include communication with the Principal through regular meetings, email and being up to date in areas of new technologies, information resources and current literature (well connected from general to specific example)(delete this second reference Donham, 2008).
The TL is (omit words like 'clearly', 'definitely' - you are showing that it's definite by writing about it!)definitely up to date with current literature, however she recognises there is still a lot(colloquial) she needs to learn in the new technology department(colloquial) and ICT integration (TL, Site 1, 2012). Moore (2011) states the crucial role school libraries play to making a difference to ICT’s. If I were the TL at Site 1 I would take a stronger leadership role in promoting use of ICT(no apostrophe with acronyms) and informing staff of new technologies and online resources.

Another concept of leadership I think can be improved is that of school wide pedagogy. The Principal at Site 1 (2012) and Moore (2011) share the same idea('view' - more academic!) in that an effective leader enhances pedagogy across the whole school. Although havingthe TL demonstrates effective pedagogical skills in the library, she could take a stronger leadership role in promoting(delete: the concept of enhancing) school wide pedagogy (delete: could be enriched). (Briefly explain how she might do that)(See how in the previous senence I changed to active voice, to make the message more immediate and easier to read) If I were TL at Site 1, I would aim to increase communication between teachers, effectively utilise individual teacher talents and encourage the sharing of teaching techniques, ideas, resources and units of work (how?). I would adopt This kind of shared collaboration which “leads to whole school knowledge, continuous reflection and innovative thinking” (Gibson-Langford, 2007, p.21). (see how in the last sentence I've linked your aim with what the literature, ie Gibson-L, proposes)
Again, in the following para, go from general to specific, eg: (Topic sentence) TLs can also play an important leadership role in promoting cross-cultural understanding. Summers ... (Then say something about stages Summers presents) This is an aspect that the TL at Site 1 is particularly deveoted to. In particular, I believe that she is already working at ... As I stated ...
One aspect of leadership that the TL is very devoted is cultural awareness. Her involvement, contacts and knowledge of Indigenous literature, programs and events make her a leader in this field. Summers (2010) describes the importance of leadership in school libraries that are articulated by multicultural educators. I believe the TL is already working at the Fourth Social Action Stage Summers (2010, p. 12) explains as involving parents and the community to “build meaningfulness between home and school experiences”. As I stated in the Learning Hubs discussion Wiki, reflecting Summers 2012:

“I believe the TL at my school is a culturally responsive leader, fostering student achievement through motivation, trust, cultural awareness and inclusion” (delete: Summers as cited in (Terwin, 2012). good use of wiki excerpt

The following points are examples of the TL showing leadership to support the above comment (delete:above). semi-colon:
  • Invites Indigenous authors to talk to students – Aunty Ruth Hegarty, Boori Monty Prior.
  • Promoting Promotes Indigenous/multicultural literature(keep the same verb format throuh all dot points)
  • Participates inInvolvement in event organisation of Indigenous Literacy Day, Naidoc Week and Sorry Day.
  • Invites community members and parents to events and reading days.
  • Integrates an Indigenous perspective when planning with teachers
  • Plans excursions to book stores, public libraries and events with an Indigenous focus – Examples include Kuril Dhagun: Indigenous Knowledge Centre at the State Library of Queensland and Riverbend Books, Bulimba)
  • Caters for diverse learning needs
  • Considers broad reading levels when planning library lessons across the whole school. (very good examples)
In connection with cultural responsiveness, Branch and Oberg highlight the importance of instructional leadership. This implies .. (briefly explain what is instructional leadership; explain, is it differnt to school wide pedagogy discussed above?) Having worked at Site 1’s multicultural school for seven years I amhave ?become a culturally aware educator being sensitive to diverse learning styles, allowing all students to achieve success and effectively communicating with students. However, if I am to become a culturally responsive and instructional leader, my cultural knowledge and experience needs great improvement. Branch and Oberg (2001) support that it is this instructional leadership that can make a difference in the success of students in their schools and communities. delete: Gaining I aim to advance the ability to instruct teachers, impart knowledge and develop a partnership with the Principal through my SPP, as I gain confidence in my expertise as a TL (delete: I aim to advance the ability to instruct teachers, impart knowledge and develop a partnership with the Principal are qualities I envisage to advance during my SPP). (see how I've restructured the sentence to bring a stronger focus on your aim and development - agood way to finish the section!
--- well done, this is a good first draft for this section; you incorporate the lit, your observations about your TL and your own expereinces and aspirations - Hilary