AASL section presents research symposium at national conference
Contact: Melissa Jacobsen
AASL Communications Specialist
(312) 280-4381
NEWS
For Immediate Release
February 24, 2009
CHICAGO – The Educators of Library Media Specialists Section (ELMSS) of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) will present its first research symposium at this year's AASL 14th National Conference & Exhibition, Nov. 5-8 in Charlotte, N.C. As educators, scholars and researchers, ELMSS members create new knowledge about the school library media field and impart that knowledge to the profession’s newest members.
The topic for the symposium will be AASL's "Standards for the 21st-Century Learner," released in 2007. The standards are the basis for curriculum development and implementation in school library media programs. The symposium will open with a look at school library media program curricula past and present and an overview of the standards. During the symposium, research teams will be formed to develop, present and critique questions for substantive research on the implementation, teaching and learning of the new standards. It is expected that the work begun by the research teams at the symposium will continue and impact implementation.
Co-chair of the National Conference Committee, Jay Bansbach said, "We are excited that ELMSS will be having the symposium on the 'Standards for the 21st-Century Learner.' Colleges and universities need to be active in the dissemination and planning surrounding implementation of the new standards in each state and to become partners with their affiliate school library media organizations to lead and assist roll-out plans. In addition, there is an obligation on their part to plan on how they will educate the students coming through their programs. I think this is a great first step toward that end and a wonderful opportunity for them to come together to plan research that will actively effect implementation."
The learning standards developed by AASL expand the definition of information literacy to include digital, visual, textual and technological literacies. The standards and the forthcoming guidelines, "Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs," are expected to be implemented nationally over the next three to five years.
Gail Dickinson, ELMSS chair, noted, "The 'Standards for the 21st-Century Learner' present a unique research opportunity for school library scholars. The standards are new and different from previous information literacy standards, and there is much to learn from careful observation and study of how 21st century learners learn the skills, responsibilities, dispositions and self-assessments needed to become the effective users of ideas and information envisioned by the school library media specialists."
The American Association of School Librarians,
www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library media services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library media field.
