SLAV Connects is a blog by the School Libraries Association of Victoria (SLAV), formerly named Bright Ideas when a collaboration between SLAV and the State Library of Victoria (SLV). Its aim is to share news from the Association and to encourage teacher librarians, librarians, school library staff, educators and all interested persons to actively engage with the school libraries, to share tools and experiences; to network on a global scale; and to embrace dynamic teaching and learning opportunities.
This certainly makes sense as the focus for education in the 21st Century. Can we make the general public, the media (and some schools) understand this as well as they have the three Rs in the past? To read the whole post, please go to 21st Century Workers Require New Skills, it is well worth perusing.
As Hamilton states, the challenges we all face such as:
budget contraints
filtering
fear of change
Can be overcome by:
seeing change as an opportunity, not a threat
creating a participatory culture and environment
multiple forms of literacy
multiple modes of learning
shared knowledge construction through collaboration
listening, sharing and risk-taking
Energise your mind by plugging into your PLN
This is a presentation that is thoughtful, creative, intelligent and timely. As Hamilton states, “Libraries are in the change business”. A visit to her website, The Unquiet Librarian is highly recommended.
Let’s begin with what is transliteracy? Watch this video for a definition.
So looking at that definition, we really need students to be transliterate. The brilliant Buffy Hamilton has agreed to share her presentation on how school libraries can help students become transliterate:
This visually stunning and thought provoking presentation signals exactly where school libraries come in:
Transliteracy is the ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms, tools and media from signing and orality through handwriting, print, TV, radio and film to digital social networks (slide 16)
Participatory librarianship is about inviting and creating spaces for inviting and engaging participation sparking conversations, knowledge construction and creation (slides 21-24).
Many pertinent examples of ways that school libraries can support transliteracy are included and all are important and achievable. It may take time for everything to come together in your school library. It may mean little steps with one or two colleagues. But one or two steps forward at a time soon turns into a run when students become inspired by creating and publishing digital objects. You can read more about this topic at the Libraries and Transliteracy blog.
