Year: 2006
Type: report
Abstract: The aim of this pilot study research was to establish whether the teacher-librarian can have a positive impact on the literacy levels of students when measured against the Year 3, 5 and 7 national benchmark tests for reading. The pilot study involved investigating the activities of four teacher-librarians in a mix of government and non-government schools. The pilot study comprises of five sections - the literature review, the case study, the methodology, the findings and a final discussion. The appendices provide the evaluation methods the teacher-librarians in the pilot study used to gauge their own effectiveness and the transcripts of the interviews. The Literature Review draws a focus to the current research regarding the contribution of the teacher-librarian to the literacy levels of students. Research from the United States and Australia indicate that positive relationships can be drawn between school libraries and student achievement. Although improved student outcomes can be drawn, the concept of student achievement is not always used consistently by the studies. The review outlines benchmark documents about the role of the teacher-librarian, the function of the school library and guidelines for staffing and funding. Concepts need to be defined to provide common understandings about literacy and information literacy. Perspectives on the teaching and integration of information literacy as a factor in the success of students to perform in today’s information rich society are investigated. Information literacy is the key to independent learning and to further lifelong learning. The role of the teacher-librarian has seen many changes in catering for the information needs of students in a digital age. The school library needs to provide a connection with the whole school community and the provision of online services is a vital part of this service. This online concept goes beyond the services of a ‘virtual library’ but to cater for the millenial generation Web 2.0 constructs need to be acknowledged. The review investigates the various perspectives and measurement strategies that could be used by teacher-librarians to measure their effectiveness in the whole school context. To reinforce the library’s position as an important part of the learning process, the school library should be able to demonstrate its alignment to the missions and goals of the whole school.
Author: Ann Gillespie
Language: English
Subfield: Library and Information Sciences
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W70038727