Visit to Burns Park Elementary Media Center- Media Specialist: Rachel Erdstein
There is a tremendous need for educated and experienced "teachers" to assist everyone (ages pre-K to senior citizens) in navigating existing and emerging technologies. It seems that schools cannot afford to do this for much longer. Maybe we should consider establishing professional development "schools" (similar to Kaplan) that teach employees of multiple different companies how to work better at their jobs. There must be a place for us somewhere as redefined "Information Specialists". We just need to keep our options open.
For now, I still hope I can get a job in a school when I graduate and be the best Media Specialist they have ever had. But, I'm pretty sure that when push comes to shove and budgets have to be cut, as long as there is no requirement for a certified Media Specialist in a school, our jobs are destined to be cut. This despite no matter how much we are responsible for raising student achievement at our schools or how much we are loved by our, students, faculty and parents.
Is it too late to switch to HCI? (ok- NOT happening)
Or maybe I better start developing my lesson plans for teaching "Romeo and Juliet"?
I'm not really that disillusioned, yet, I just see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just don't know how long that tunnel will be for me.
sorry if my own disillusionment is rubbing off on you! you are going to make an incredible school librarian and you will be an important asset in whatever school you find yourself. if this is what you want, don't give up on it!
ReplyDeleteI know things may look bleak, but I have hope. I think what we're seeing is in part the result of the shift from how we've accessed information for so long. We're at a time when digital rights management and free access to information on the internet is still being figured out, and as such, I think we're feeling unstable and unsure as to how we fit in. I think we're going to come out okay. Though, perhaps as you suggest, slightly re-imagined.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and Kara - as long as we're willing to rethink the role of school librarian, I think the school librarian is still going to be important. Look how much we rely on technology now, and how much the school librarian can offer in that area!
ReplyDeleteI agree--with the increase of the importance of technology, I could see the school librarian job making a comeback, just in a difference way. Though I suppose that's easy for me to say, looking from the outside!
ReplyDeleteAlthough based on your awesome design skills, you'd be pretty great at HCI!
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