So far so good! I have enjoyed Buzzeo's book so far, and have come away from it feeling better, and with ideas to move towards a more collaborative library program...one step at a time.
I started with the introduction and found a couple of lines that inspired me, and reassured me that we are on the right track. I started off thinking "YES!" when I read the following quote: "Collaboration, then is an avenue for effective schools and in effective schools, students achieve"(x). Of course they do!!! And I also liked when she discusses that all school library programs, at all levels, use the same techniques to work towards effective collaboration (xi). And, I loved the notes to administrators and professors. Glad we got a copy for Rob...thanks to Cathy.
Chapter 1:
I have to start off by saying, Thanks Toni! Usually when I read the taxonomy/levels of instructional partnership I feel inadequate. But I was reassured when she writes, "None of these levels is inherently less important than any other level. Collaboration itself is both organic and dynamic as work with different teachers and groups of students evolves and changes, moving fluidly between the levels"(4).
I also read through Loertscher's taxonomy and highlighted the statement under #9- "The LMC program reaches the needs of every student and teacher who will accept its offerings in each of the four programmatic elements"(5). Just reaffirms with me that not everyone will take what is offered! And, I also need to remind myself that operating at levels 2-7 is okay. I was appreciative of the reminder on page 7..."Librarianship, after all, is a service profession and has always been so." Doesn't mean we are less worthy at these earlier steps...although, we are always striving to reach the highest levels of the taxonomy. (Although, to be honest, it would be exhausting to work at those levels all the time!!!)
I appreciated the discussion of cooperation and the benefits thereof. Makes me feel better after listening to Alison last year. Anyone else who heard here agree? And I agree about the statement regarding the "...bedrock of trust that is formed when the LMSs serve the needs of their teaching and administrative colleagues"(8). I wholeheartedly agree, that these cooperative relationships are more likely to move forward toward collaborative relations if we have demonstrated the willingness to be helpful.
I liked how the benefits to everyone are laid out and articulated. And I agree that cooperation is not collaboration...but rather the first step on the road to this partnership. I was also happy to read her practical tips for forging into these relationships. She does not assume too much and is very specific and practical.
I loved the idea of the "Ticker file" (10) and plan to start one!
I liked the worksheets at the end of the chapter. Definitely made me think. I also think the author brought out some good points about better utilizing support staff...to free us up to work on the higher level tasks. I felt my biggest roadblock to moving onto the next levels more consistently was time. I am going to try to work on ways to delegate more to try to more work at levels 8 and 9.
Anxious to see what you thought.
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I've got pencil marks all over this poor chapter. I noticed I was saying out loud "YES"! Just simple things like always taking lunch so you get a chance to get out there and talk to people.
ReplyDeleteThe Tools for Administrators pages are wonderful. I wonder how we can put this together for our admins.? Think this would be very helpful. One idea that I've been mulling is to take the tool for admin page and add a section beneath it:
this is what I do...
what would you like to see...
As you can see I'm certainly in the mulling stage!
Funny,but I have such a similar response to the beginning of this book. I found it reassuring that if I seemed to be "hung" on a certain level in the Taxonomy, it doesn't necessarily mean that I'm not doing my job. So often I read words from an expert and feel overwhelmed and just so far behind where I should be. You mentioned a that too Kathy and, actualy, I take comfort in the fact that you experience those feelings as well.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that Toni points out is the effect that "school culture has on the forward momentum of collaborative practice."(xi) That has come out in our conversations many times. I feel quite fortunate to work where I do and with the people around me (that includes all of you!)Right after that, Buzzeo points out the need to "work to identify and broadcast the rolethat the LMS/teacher collaboration plays in achieving these learning goals." (xi) Isn't this just what we've been concerning ourselves with? Sometimes I feel so smart. Toni Buzzeo is doing a good job of making me think, however. I have notes all over the place. I like the way she's making me look at myself, not what she thinks I should do, but what I'm actually doing. The workbook format enables me to organize my thoughts and start to plan. So far, so good.
I also have marked up the pages read so far and find myself analyzing how I spend my time and how I and others in the building see my role. I was thinking about some of the introductory remarks when I read the comment that it might be helpful to add a page to admin worksheet as to what we do and what admin would like to see done. I had highlighted Buzzeo's thought that "In a effective school..school mission is understood and shared by all teaching staff"(ix)
ReplyDeleteand that all "commit to their joint responsibility"(x). I am committed to the responsibility but sometime question exactly the role I should play and how others see my role. I know that this impacts collaborative efforts and am hoping this exercise helps me in that respect.
Chapter One: I felt both reassured and challenged as I read Chapter One. My days(and nights) seemed jam packed as we work primarily at a cooperative level. Buzzeo's comments on page 10 about institutionalizing cooperative services and working to create independent library users to free up time to strengthen services hit home with me. I believe that I have established that "bedrock of trust" with the service and program provided but do know that if staff members were more independent and active users and tools such as our Visual Search was stronger, I would have more opportunity and time to up the level of service.
Comment about the blogging - I've enjoyed this first effort. Might it also be helpful to meet after we use tools prepared at chapter end for program assessment.
My invitation to blog got lost in the mass of email and then expired... now I'm actually on track, with book, blog, and a few minutes to spend. I realized when reading the intro and Chap. 1 that I feel stuck in levels 4,5,6 with very rare exceptions. I loved some of the inspiring ideas to enhance even these levels: reminder to do new materials open house...
ReplyDeletereminder to do more bookmarking for the databases.
I loved the idea of a tickler file... it just might be the tool that keeps me on target with units.
I'm enjoying the interactive worksheet concept in the book... calls me to accountability.