Student Centered Learning

I started my position as a media specialist during a weird time in our department.  The Information Technology and Media Services department in Cumberland County is very tight knit.  Many of us share ideas, attend system wide professional developments together, and stay connected via social media.  We recently gained a new director in our department.  Our director has really started to shift the focus and culture of the school libraries from books to digital.  Many of the librarians felt as though they were going to be shifted out and replaced by technology (eBooks, devices, etc.)  As "fresh blood" on the scene - I saw things very differently.  It's really important to be flexible.  Education is a science.  Science is constantly changing and involving.

It's important for a school administrator or a department chair to be able to help their teachers understand that they are not being replaced.  Technology has really changed the way our students think, learn, and create. I had a conversation with a veteran librarian the other day.  She was telling me that students now are just so noisy and have no respect for the library when they come in.  She believes that this has a lot to do with how education has changed.  I told her that my personal philosophy is that the school library is an extension of the classroom and there is a difference between talking and being disruptive and talking to collaborate.  Educators need to get on board to understand that our students are different now.  "Sit and Get" is out and Creating, Collaborating, Communication, and Critical Thinking are in!  Our students need student centered instruction!