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LIBE 477 Reading Review 1: Libraries and Digital Competencies

Since my own high school graduation almost 20 years ago, I have very little experience in modern elementary and high-school libraries, but what I have experienced has shown me just how much has changed in that time. Technology has taken a huge role in education and libraries are definitely reflecting that, with 3-D printers, video and sound editing setups, coding events, and programmable playful objects like Spheros and Ozobots. And that’s just what I have seen. I want to know what other roles technology might be playing in modern libraries. What skills do I need as a future librarian? What are the best ways to guide students through this world of technology, especially knowing that many of them may have more exposure to technology than I currently do? What are the best ways to learn alongside the students?

 What digital competencies are the most important for us to pass on to our students? How do we decide what makes something “important”? And how do we most effectively pass those competencies along, especially when we may ourselves may be new(er) to much technology?
Students in Australia use an ipad to complete a scavenger hunt at an ecological centre. Photo credit: Sonya Neilson. 
Things I could research further include:

  • Concepts such as digital literacy and the digital divide, information literacy, internet safety and security.
  • Skills like coding (both plugged and unplugged), and the usefulness of tools like Scratch coding, coding games, toys like Ozobots and Spheros and Arduinos and Microbits.
  • Newer technology like Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, 3D printers, and robots.
  • Standards for digital skills, within the Vancouver School Board and from the International Society for Tech Educators.
  • Events like BYOD (bring your own device) events and Hour of Code.

I was both surprised and comforted to know that standards exist for digital skills education, both internationally and within the Vancouver School District, and would love to learn more about this. Not just about what these standards are, but where they came from. Why these standards in particular? What are some recommended ways to pass these skills on to our students? What roles do they see/expect libraries to play in this education? What other roles are possible for libraries to play in passing on digital skills? What is being done now and what research has been done on how effective these practices have been?
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Comments

  1. D.McNeeJanuary 13, 2019 at 7:49 PM

    This is a good first post! You are asking some good questions and have started to collect good keywords which will help you further explore your interests. I am looking forward to seeing where your learning takes you.

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