Article-D+Pleoger

The Role of School Librarians in Promoting the Use of Educational Technologies

This article looked at the unique position that Library Media Specialists have to influence the teachers and students in their learning community and their educational use of technology. The article pointed out that through collaboration, instruction, committee leadership, and professional development opportunities, the Library Media Specialist can have a positive impact on the integration of technology.

The authors also talked about what a library should provide in order to fulfill this position within the learning community. These include: providing educational resources; assuring that the resources that are accessible to everyone; and providing an area that is conducive to individual and group work.

The article goes on to detail the role that the LMS should take in the infusion of technology in their schools. Among others that were listed are: working closely with teachers; serving as the information literacy expert of the district; working closely with the technology coordinator to insure assess to resources; provide training for students and staff; and help students to develop skills that will enable them to become responsible users of technology.

Some of the issues that the library media specialist faces in achieving their goals in this tough economic times include inadequate funding and staffing and access to relevant professional development opportunities that will further their goals.

References:

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Media Specialists SIG (SIGMS) Executive Advocacy Committee. (2011, March/April). The role of school librarians in promoting the use of educational technologies. //Library Media Connection//, 19.