ETL401 - The TL and the curriculum

            It seems fitting that education is moving toward an emphasis on the student as learner. The idea of constructivist learning, where the student leads their own inquiry based on a teacher provided model or scaffold is a good one. When they get out into the big wide world students will be able to be functioning members of the workforce, monitoring their own productivity and work through the company vision.

            It is also good then that inquiry-based and project-based learning are also coming to the fore. And it is within this realm I believe the TL has the most influence.

            Two years ago the school I am currently working at tried the whole project based learning thing. And it did not go very well. Some committee had decided that it was time for us to do it as it was a new trend but no real thought had gone into the process of setting it up. Students were supposed to learn first how to work in groups and then complete a project together. They did both but not in any deep way. There was little choice for students and next to no instruction in information literacy.

            Now we are currently being educated in the NSW Quality Teaching Framework. And the introduction of this model has been far more effective. At first it was quite daunting, as part of the process for us is having our peers view and review our lessons. What it does do though, is really make you think about your teaching, and more importantly about your students’ learning. Within the framework there is a real emphasis on making the learning more relevant to the students, connecting it more deeply to themselves as learners.

            If we remember all the hats that a TL is supposed to wear then it is important that they become involved in the planning of learning in the school. This is both for units of work and assessment. I would love it if every year I could have 20 minutes with each class in each subject to show them how they can use their library more effectively. But teachers are loathe to give up their time.

            If I knew every unit and assessment going on in the school I would be better able to select and acquire resources that students might actually need and use. I would also be better able to help them when they asked.

            Students in my school barely use the library for their assessments unless they are directed to by their teachers – most think a google search and anything they find on Wikipedia is enough. I am trying to change this but it is going to take time.