Let's "get real"! For this assignment, you will spend some time visiting school library media centers to check the reality of what you're learning in class.
The Reality Check Project will be worth 20% of the total course grade.
You must to visit THREE different school library media centers.
Consider the following restrictions and requirements:
- You may use ONE virtual visit through email communication or chat. For example, you may identify an exemplary school library media center website, then email the teacher librarian to conduct a virtual interview.
- You may use the library in your school building as long as there is a certified library media professional that you can interview.
- You may go on a field trip with other members of the class. However you must each write your own reports.
- At least ONE of your library visits must be different from everyone else in the class.
- ALL THREE visits must be to school library media centers, no academic, public, or other libraries will count. They can be any type of school (i.e., primary, elementary, middle, high, public, private).
Reality Check Topics
Your visits should be focused on the following topics. You do not need to explore each area during every visit. At some point during your visits; however, you must cover ALL of the areas below.
- Collaboration
- Technology
- Program Planning & Accountability
- Policies and Procedures
- Collections
- Time Management & Scheduling
- Facilities
- Human Resources
- Budget
- Advocacy: Promotion & Events
It's up to you to decide on the depth of your exploration. However, keep in mind that this project is worth 20% of your grade. Use the "Make it Real" questions and ideas within the course materials as a guide for interview questions.
Your "write up" is very flexible and may include any of the following: questions and answers, a summary, photographs, selected quotes from interviews, myth vs reality, a narrative of your experience, recommendations, conclusions, and/or whatever you find most interesting. Your project should go beyond the simple reporting of your experience.
Let's bridge theory and practice by connecting your interviews with your course readings, the professional literature, and your personal and professional experiences. Compare yourself as a teacher librarian with the people you interview. Do you agree or disagree with their approaches and philosophies? Why? Provide specific examples and comparisons.
Post an Oncourse Message
When you have completed your Reality Check Project, it must be posted in Oncourse. Create a new message and include the following information.
- Provide an overview of the three centers you visited (i.e., name of school, center, media specialists).
- Summarize each interview. Describe your most interesting findings.
- Bridge theory and practice by connecting your interview results with the professional literature.
- Compare yourself to the professionals you interviewed.
- Of the three centers, which would you choose if a position were available? Why? What attracted you to the position? What changes would you make? What programs would like to see implemented?
- Attach your Microsoft Word document to the message. Or, include the URL if you choose to make web pages.
Checklist for Grading (20 Points Possible)
- You will receive 1 point for each of the 10 focus areas (10 points)
- Report (2 points each)
- Three centers, summary of interview, and interesting findings
- Theory to practice connection
- Comparison of you to your interviewees
- Discussion of chosen center, recommended changes and programs
- Reply to classmate