Reinventing Reference by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LAN025060 Language Arts & Disciplines / Library & Information Science / Digital & Online Resources
ISBN: 9780838912867
Publisher: American Library Association
Published: 2014-12-10T16:00:00+00:00

Making Computers Earn Their Living

There are examples of librarians using innovative and creative ways to help educators realize the full potential of available technology. Ranging from discussion of a complex multiday workshop to something as simple as replacing batteries, Marsh (2008) described how librarians and educators are working to overcome technological inertia. School librarians have developed nonthreatening and fun programs to encourage teacher use of the Internet, with teachers responding positively to the entertaining element of the program.

For many educators, according to Alejandro Franco (2006), utilizing computers for teaching can be a threatening experience, particularly in a virtual environment, because “interaction in virtual education is given mostly in [writing] (and we know that frequently it is a great difficulty for some teachers to write). Also, for many, to face the new course could be the problem, when he/she is already accustomed to use an easy pedagogy in which the same class is repeated semester after semester without having to make the effort of researching, of improving, of enlarging the cognitive spectrum.” Franco further asserted that the educator must “transform the traditional pedagogy toward an electronic pedagogy in which the professor becomes a facilitator of the student’s learning process and an active pedagogy supporter” (emphasis added).

Unfortunately, school administrators commonly exacerbate the situation with their purchasing procedures. Too often, school districts frequently buy half a product when investing in computers. The infrastructure is installed without a compelling curriculum value supporting it. Consequently, teachers who have not yet embraced the new technologies and see no value to the hardware sprouting up on desks become technology-reluctant. Teachers expect a significant difference in outcomes and have little tolerance for change unless there is “compelling evidence” that the investment will have big dividends.

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