The TL and Curriculum Development - Topic 3

Having just read the readings for topic 3 it seems that curriculum development is one of the significant roles of a TL in their working lives. Therefore to be a success requires a vast knowledge of the whole-school curriculum in order to integrate information literacy skills within units of work across the school. Working in an all-boys school from Yrs 4-12, I feel it is such a shame that my school fails to have the vision (that vision comes from the Principal) to embrace the knowledge and skills that a TL can offer in collaborating with teachers in developing curriculum that encourages students to think at a higher level. In saying this, there is no timetable provision, or time set aside, for myself as a TL-in-training to even think about working collaboratively and initiating some kind of RBL (as suggested in the Campbell et al. reading) with a classroom teacher. I am timetabled on for years 7/8 reading program classes and loans desk duties, which so severely restricts my ability to do what I really want to do.

It is unfortunate that the Principal thinks that the students can just use the Internet without any real thought about how they might find credible information sources and come up with new insights and discoveries that builds on their pre-existing knowledge on a topic. Therefore, I believe, the students are severely being disadvantaged because they are not being taught the essential tools to be information literate and become life-long learners.

While witnessing library classes 'researching' for an assignment, I often see students just whittling away at the computer just surfing the Internet - not really sure what they are looking for. These scenarios really sadden me because the students just think the information they find after searching Google is accurate and reliable. No wonder student-engagement is low. But then, they don't know what to do with this information - often it's just regurgitated material from the Internet. In these cases, which happens all too frequently, I find my developing skills and knowledge are not being utilised and a valuable resource being wasted.

To implement changes to my current school drastic changes would need to be implemented. The Principal would need to embrace and encourage a culture of collaboration and view the TLs role as an important one for offering information support for students and staff (at the very least). There would be nothing better than to be more involved in the school's educational goals. Many teachers appear to work in isolation at my school. But in order for the TL and teachers to collaboratively exchange ideas, information and knowledge a major change the school's culture needs to be one that is supported by the Principal.

Can't wait for the new principal mid year to take over - his wife is a trained TL! Bring on the changes!