Presented by Lee FitzGerald
Lee FitzGerald believes that "getting real about inquiry learning" means sitting it alongside everything else that Teacher Librarians do as far as teaching and learning is concerned. TLs are responsible for so much, with their big focus on reading and literacy as well as programs like makerspaces and digital citizenship. This makes it incredibly difficult to implement and sustain an inquiry learning program in their school.
In this online meetup, Lee will consider how TLs are dealing with this - is there a need to do less in our role; is there a need to prove that we have achieved learning outcomes through our efforts; how do people prioritise the many aspects of the role, so that there is still scope for inquiry learning?
And behind that, the question - why, if we are the essential beacons of literacy and information literacy, is the role continuously under threat? Lee will be sharing some insight from Darryl Toerien, whose warning, "the hour for school libraries is late", is a call to action for all of us.
About Lee
Lee FitzGerald is an adjunct lecturer in Teacher Librarianship at Charles Sturt University, and editor of ACCESS, the journal of the Australian School Library Association. She has been a teacher librarian in Sydney schools, primary and secondary, government and independent, spanning 30 years. She has a long term interest in Guided Inquiry, both as a TL practitioner and research partner with Dr. Kasey Garrison. Her book, Guided Inquiry goes global: Evidence-based practice in action was released in 2019 by ABC Clio.
Suggested Standards addressed by this Online Meet-up
1.2.2 Structure teaching programs using research and collegial advice about how students learn.
2.1.2 Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities.
2.2.2 Organise content into coherent, well-sequenced learning and teaching programs.
3.3.2 Select and use relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem-solving, and critical and creative thinking.
6.4.2 Undertake professional learning programs designed to address identified student learning needs.
7.4.2 Participate in professional and community networks and forums to broaden knowledge and improve practice.
About SLANSW Online Meet-Ups
The one-hour meet-ups take place in SLANSW's Zoom Conference Room and include a presentation from a guest speaker, with facilitated discussion between participants. We aim to include Q&A time as a wrap-up of each online meetup.
A maximum of 100 places are available for each meet-up, so get your registrations in ASAP.
Participation in SLANSW online meet-ups is at no cost to members. Non-members may access the meet-ups for $35 per session.
The one-hour meet-up takes place in SLANSW's Zoom conference room.
Those who register for this event will receive an email within 24 hours before the event, with details to access this online session.