Day 15 - Final Reflection aka The BIG SHIFT

I think the shift has happened.  This course has really helped me rethink what library means.  I have been resistant to using the internet in the class and I am guilty of being one of those "you must have only book references" teachers.  But, I feel like something has changed over the last few weeks.  


Hearing the working TL's in the class talk about the technology they want to use with their students and watching everyone struggle and succeed in using online presentation media has stripped away a lot of the mental walls I had put up around technology use.


I've come to realize that part of the reason I wasn't helping, or allowing, my students learn to use different media was due to my own personal fear around the media.  Also, seeing the CASL professional competencies was a real eye-opener.  The expectations set out by the CASL are pretty specific and they've really helped me see where I need to develop as a competent user of online tools and information so that I can make my classroom a place where these skills are valued and used to enhance learning.  While I'm not a TL (yet) I feel like the list of competencies applies to all teachers who are working in the schools today.  


For instance professional competency 1.5 states that the TL


"has expert knowledge in evaluating learning resources in different formats and media, both on-site and remote, to support the instructional program."


while  competency 1.8 states that the TL


"uses appropriate information technology to acquire, organize and disseminate information."


In both of these statements the TL could be replaced with classroom teacher.  I realize that to be better at what I do in the class, and in order to flexible, and to let go of frustration, I need to start thinking like a TL in this present millennium, rather than like the teachers I admired in the last one.  Ironically, the teachers I admired were probably considered progressive when they were in the classroom.  Ultimately, I think it is high time I started acting more like my mentors by moving forward and embracing the future.

This is a picture of a Christmas pot luck in Japan!

And now I am signing off at 357 words.  My very final thought is that I am excited about the potluck (and the idea share).