edition 16 - collaboration

Before getting to collaboration ....assignment 1.... although i did well, i wasn't entirely happy, and have been reading and digesting all the various forum discussions - and after looking carefully at my assignment again, i know now that i should have been more explicit about the TL role and strategies used to overcome the obstacle. Although i discussed strategies, they were more an academic reflection and probably should have been more practical and yes, fewer resources and reading and more focus on this area would have helped! Note to self for next assignment.

But to collaboration, ... the benefits for Ts and TLs, not to mention students are undeniable, but Todd (2008) pointed out a few things that i have thought for a while - namely that a lack of time is a major challenge, that collaborative teaching practice (CTP) is tested by the day-to-day pressures of school, and recognition of expertise is not enough to encourage collaboration and CTP has to be motivated by student outcomes not by a desire to increase the profile and perception of the library. It's also interesting that Todd concludes this CTP required meeting out of hours and a strong desire and commitment on the part of those involved - which i guess again leads back to the idea that flexible scheduling would be necessary to successfully create an ILSC or even to increase opportunities for collaboration.
CTP - hard - yes, beneficial - yes, practical - ?? depends on the school, willingness of those involved and the time and scheduling available, worthy - yes!

Todd, R. J. (2008).The dynamics of classroom teacher and teacher librarian instructional collaboration Scan, 27(2), 19-28

edition 15 - assignment 1 and collaborative practice

today i got back assignment 1 and while i achieved my aim in terms of marks i feel slightly disappointed - mostly because the criticisms of the assignment would not have been there if i hadn't had to cut out so much - although i was praised for my wide reading and knowledge i came away with a sneaking suspicion that it was unnecessary and may have been better not to complicate things by reading so much. In my previous masters (also by coursework) essays were 5000 words and brought together the semesters efforts and although i understand the rationale, in some ways i feel frustrated that this is not the case here. The last assignment somehow doesn't seem as rigorous as the first - and i feel as though i wish that parts A and B had made up assignment 1 and part C and assignment 1 the final submission for the semester.
Oh well perhaps this is in part a product of the fact that there was no way i could get through all the readings before the first assignment was due - and in following the timetable for readings we were only to begin reading topic 5 the day the assignment was due and there was some materials in that which added to my understanding of an ILSC and the place of collaboration within it.

In fact Fullan's (1999) article raised some interesting points about the how the quality of relationships is central to success and these are typified by trust and compassion and how collaborative school (which could read ILSCs) encourage passion while providing support. Thinking about passion and support led me to consider how committed I and other teachers are to the ongoing pursuit of knowledge, experience and development - i know we constantly add new resources and information to what we teach but do we often change the way we teach? Are we as dynamic and responsive as changes in technology and learners require us to be?
I loved the idea of collaborative cultures for complex times and wholeheartedly wish that this my workplace more closely aligned with these ideals.

Fullan, M. (1999). Deep meaning of inside collaboration. In Change forces : the sequel (pp. 31-41). London : Falmer Press.

confession 11 - reflections on assignment 1

so ... its in!! Assignment 1 done and dusted - and I finally managed to get it down to 2176 - thank goodness for the +10% word limit.

It was suggested that we post our reflections on the things we have learned from the assignment. I know they mean the stuff pertaining to the course, but......

I learned:

1. that i should have started my readings a little sooner
2. that knowing your assignment requirements before you read the course materials is much smarter than having to re-read info to pluck out the relevant bits
3. writing down page references as well as authors is very helpful
4. that its much better to write the references down just after you've read them and decided to include them rather than having to rifle through reams of paper to find the article again
5. that having children probably means that you need to allow a little more time than you thought
6. I'm too old to do all nighters - so its just as well i finished it on sunday!
7. That i should maintain the work habit i have got into over the last and begin the second assignment now (well... maybe after i've had a week off and caught up on some reading for fun!)