Research Finding:
Teacher-librarians are actively involved in the
planning and implementation process in schools
with strong technology programs.
Comment
School districts with exemplary technology programs
provide ongoing staff development, including time and
resources, ongoing revision to a technology plan, access
to technology for both teachers and students, a support
structure, and the active involvement of the administration,
teaching staff and teacher-librarians in the planning
process. Lighthouse technology schools are more likely
to have high quality school library media programs
as well.
The characteristics of exemplary secondary schools
include a commitment to increasing student access to
technology through the library and providing access
to this technology before, during and after school
in addition to during the school day.
Computer/technology teachers are provided in most
large school systems, either through additional funding
or trading personnel positions. Some tasks performed
by these teachers are the same as those performed by
teacher-librarians but many tasks are significantly
different, suggesting a strong need for role clarification
and collaborative relations.
Teacher-librarians who consult with colleagues and
attend state conferences are more likely to implement
technical innovations than those who do not.
Sources
Andrews, Sandra Dobbins. (1997). A comparison of
the roes of the school library media specialist and
the computer/technology teacher within the same school
environment in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System
(North Carolina). Ph.D. dissertation. Florida
State University.
Baule, Steven M. (1997). The technology planning
process and the school library media specialist. Ed.D.
dissertation. Northern Illinois University.
Gehlken, Vivian Seiber. (1994). The role of the
high school library media program in three nationally
recognized South Carolina Blue Ribbon secondary schools. Ph.D.
dissertation. University of South Carolina.
Miller, David William (1995). Professional development
and the diffusion of innovations in school library
media centers. Ed.D. dissertation. University
of Missouri-Saint Louis.
