AASL & ISTE Standards
There are many ways that the school librarian's role has changed throughout history. Over the years, school librarians have evolved into a more instructional role that focuses on teaching a multitude of literacy skills that caters to a diverse population of both students and teachers. By doing so, school librarians must keep up with the everchanging literacy trends that students are experiencing. Spiering (2019) points out the gap between adolescent literacy research and school library research and explains how adolescent literacy research has continued to change by outlining the fact that it is not simply the way that students read and write, but rather the way that they interact with any form of information that they are exposed to in their daily lives. These days, most of the information that students interact with is digital, therefore it is imperative for school librarians to understand the ways in which they can apply their teachings to align with these changes. Spiering (2019) states that the application of the new AASL standards will allow school librarians to shift gear in how they advocate for multiple literacies, and I think that that statement is also applicable to how school librarians can interact with the ISTE standards.
It is very important to reiterate Spiering's (2019) point that due to the increased use of technology in today's society, the ways that student interact with the written text is forever changed. This is one reason why the ISTE standards are so important. This is also why it is important to understand the similarities and differences between the AASL standards and the ISTE standards, because it allows school librarians to use their core standards to integrate better technological practices and to enhance their instruction. I believe that in order for students to learn effectively, both standards must be used. School librarians can use the current AASL standards to teach the "new literacies" that align with the materials that students are exposed to digitally such as social media, blogs, news articles, image collections, etc. With the idea of the "new literacies" comes change. Actually, the change came first, and the implementation has been a result. This is good news because now students have a chance to learn the vital literacies that they need to navigate the current digital and technological world. All learning has been shifted by the rise of technology, which is even more reason that the standards should work together to create a wholesome instructional basis (Spiering, 2019).
Even with the fairly recent changes that have emerged within the AASL standards, the core of school librarianship continues to revolve around teaching our students various information literacy skills that are relevant to what they're learning and to what they will continue to learn and experience throughout life. The main goal is to equip them with the ability to locate, evaluate, create, and communicate information effectively. The AASL and ISTE standards are very similar in the sense that they both encourage literacy skills such as learning, using information to create and display information, and becoming an expert collaborator and communicator of information. Both standards encourage the same things, they just implement them in different ways. The main difference that I see is that the ISTE standards focus more on the use of technology to learn and to teach, whereas the AASL standards do not. For instance, AASL Standards encourage collaboration with peers and various types of information, while the ISTE standards mostly encourage collaboration with technology. Another example is that the AASL standards might encourage creation using a wide range of media, whereas the ISTE standards encourage the use of technology and digital tools to create. Overall, I believe that both standards are important, and while the AASL standards should continue to be the core of the school librarian's instruction, the ISTE standards should not be far behind because learning has and will continue to shift towards a more digital focus.
Works Cited:
American Library Association. (2018). AASL standards framework for learners.
International Society for Technology Education. (2016). ISTE standards: Educators.
Spiering, J. (2019). Engaging adolescent literacies with the standards. Knowledge Quest, 47(5), 44-49.
It really is amazing to think about how the role of a librarian has changed over the years. I can remember going to the library as an elementary student and having limited time. The librarian read a book and we did busy work or read while waiting to check out books. Those days are long gone!
ReplyDeleteI just took YA Materials with Jenna Spiering in Summer Session I and learned so much about the young adult world. We have to remember that so much of the world is digital now. If we look at how research is done, it has changed greatly. When I was young, I remember pouring through encyclopedias and multiple non-fiction texts to find information for reports. Now, students can access a database or websites and search for their topics. There are skills to be taught with digital research and the AASL and ISTE standards can help pinpoint some of these skills that learners will need to know. You give some great examples of how these standards reinforce research and collaborative skills that students will need to build.
I've been reflecting on these changes, as well. I remember researching the country of Kenya in 3rd grade, and all I had were the encyclopedia and some books in our school library. If my son were to do that same project now, I bet he would be guided to SC DISCUS first. Lots of change in those 30 years!
ReplyDeleteThis is why guidance from the AASL and ISTE standards are so important. Our context is changing all the time. Staying focused with anchors of standards helps us all keep the goals of our literacy work at the core of our impact, especially when technology is involved.
Hello Callie,
ReplyDeleteI loved your reflection on the change of librarians role with change in how we receive information due to the development of technology. I thinks its also important to remember and note that technology will continue to progress and we as future librarians need to only adapt to the current information landscape but future ones as well.
I completely agree! I didn't even graduate from school that long ago and the librarian's role has changed so much in the school setting. I actually don't even remember any of my school librarians. How sad! I find myself now reaching out to colleague role models in order to get an idea of what my future role will look like. I am very lucky that at my current school we have a technology coordinator and three librarians. with such great funding, some amazing things are being accomplished! I am concerned about ever moving and having to juggle so many hats!
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