scholarly journals Roles and Practices of School Librarians in Digital Age: A Study from Croatia

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihaela Banek Zorica ◽  
Zvjezdana Dukic
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Library ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
School Principal ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Teaching Information

In Croatian school system it is prescribed by the law that every school should have a library and a professional librarian managing the library and serving the school community. School library is a part of the educational system and school librarian has to be involved in teaching and extracurricular activities. This research explores how school librarians in primary school in Croatia perceive their various roles and what roles related duties they perform in their daily practices. A survey was conducted on a sample of primary school librarians in Croatia and 122 valid responses were collected and analyzed for the purpose of this study. The study findings show that school librarians in primary schools perceive that promotion of students’ reading is their most important role while teaching information literacy is less important. In their daily practices Croatian school librarians perform various duties related to reading promotion, administration of library, managing collections, supporting school curriculum and providing information services. Further they are engaged in teaching information literacy but they hardly use of technology for enhancement of library collections and services. Only a little more than half of study participants state that school principal and teachers understand their roles and support them in performing these roles. Further studies on roles of school librarians are recommended.

scholarly journals Unlocking the Potential of School Libraries: What Actions are New Zealand Primary School Principals Taking to Integrate the School Library in Information Literacy Initiatives? Final Report

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elisabeth Mei-Xing Ngan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Principals ◽  
School Library ◽  
External Support ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Primary School Principals ◽  
Literacy Initiatives

<p>Information literacy is implicit in the national education curriculum’s key competencies for students, yet primary schools lack an explicit path to develop students’ information skills. The literature shows that school library programs can foster information literacy and improve student achievement, with the principal’s support identified as a significant factor. This study investigates the actions of New Zealand primary school principals to integrate the school library in information literacy initiatives. An online survey collected quantitative and qualitative data from a random sample of primary school principals, stratified by decile rating to reflect the school population in microcosm. Sixty-nine responses were collected and the low response rate meant it was not possible to generalise the results of the survey. Key findings of the research were that a majority of principals supported information literacy initiatives through advocacy; professional development; use of external support; student assessment; separate library budgets; and reasonable library opening hours. A minority maintained a separate information literacy policy; adequately resourced the library with trained staff; or promoted collaborative planning between teaching and library staff through flexible scheduling of class library time. Actions were not affected by decile rating but differences by school size and locale were identified, particularly for small and rural schools. Principals’ perceptions of information literacy did not appear to affect their actions. Suggestions for further research are made to expand upon the findings.</p>

scholarly journals School Librarians in Action: A Comparative Study of School Library Programs in Croatia and Hong Kong

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Tam ◽  
Samson Choi ◽  
Anica Tkalcevic ◽  
Zvjezdana Dukic ◽  
Joy Xiaobing Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
School Library ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
School Libraries ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Library Instruction ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Support Students

The study explores library programs in primary and secondary schools in Croatia and Hong Kong. The aim is to find what library programs the school libraries in Croatia and Hong Kong run in their schools, how these programs affect students’ learning and what are similarities and differences between school libraries in Croatia and Hong Kong. The study findings show that school libraries on both locations run programs to support students’ reading and to enhance their information literacy and research skills. School library programs in Croatia and Hong Kong include some similar components but also differ in some respects in approach and content. School librarians in Croatia involve wider community engagement while school librarians in Hong Kong apply technology for collection development and library instruction. Library programs in schools in both locations transcend the school walls and reach beyond the school curriculum as well.

scholarly journals STEM Library Activities in Croatian Primary School Curriculums

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Rendulić
Keyword(s):  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Web Pages ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
General Picture ◽  
School Activities ◽  
School Year ◽  
Science And Education

The goal of this paper is to give an overall picture of STEM activities in school curriculums supported by school librarians. Research methodology used to examine described problem is primary qualitative content analysis of Croatian primary schools curriculums, as a main document for planning of all school activities. The research included school curriculums of 854 Croatian primary schools that were available on their official web pages among overall 904, according to the official list provided by Ministry of Science and Education in Croatia (Ministarstvo znanosti i obrazovanja Republike Hrvatske, 2019). Considering the duration, research is transferable since it relies only on school year 2018./2019. and gives a general picture of the STEM activities in school curriculum associated to librarians. Findings are divided in several detected categories: science, green libraries, technology, engineering, math and extracurricular activities. 

scholarly journals Unlocking the Potential of School Libraries: What Actions are New Zealand Primary School Principals Taking to Integrate the School Library in Information Literacy Initiatives? Final Report

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elisabeth Mei-Xing Ngan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Principals ◽  
School Library ◽  
External Support ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Primary School Principals ◽  
Literacy Initiatives

<p>Information literacy is implicit in the national education curriculum’s key competencies for students, yet primary schools lack an explicit path to develop students’ information skills. The literature shows that school library programs can foster information literacy and improve student achievement, with the principal’s support identified as a significant factor. This study investigates the actions of New Zealand primary school principals to integrate the school library in information literacy initiatives. An online survey collected quantitative and qualitative data from a random sample of primary school principals, stratified by decile rating to reflect the school population in microcosm. Sixty-nine responses were collected and the low response rate meant it was not possible to generalise the results of the survey. Key findings of the research were that a majority of principals supported information literacy initiatives through advocacy; professional development; use of external support; student assessment; separate library budgets; and reasonable library opening hours. A minority maintained a separate information literacy policy; adequately resourced the library with trained staff; or promoted collaborative planning between teaching and library staff through flexible scheduling of class library time. Actions were not affected by decile rating but differences by school size and locale were identified, particularly for small and rural schools. Principals’ perceptions of information literacy did not appear to affect their actions. Suggestions for further research are made to expand upon the findings.</p>

scholarly journals Factors affecting the implementation of information literacy education in Malaysian primary schools

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Saidatul Akmar Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Literacy Education ◽  
Training System ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Social And Cultural Factors

<p>Information literacy (IL) is one of the 21st century survival skills. The concept of IL has spread widely, and IL programmes have appeared in many countries in formal settings such as schools and higher education institutions, workplaces, and community and continuing education programmes. Information literacy education (ILE) in Malaysia is officially integrated into the school curriculum. Though the Malaysian government claims that IL has been implemented in the country’s education system, anecdotal evidence suggests that the extent of ILE is uneven across schools.Thus, the goal of this qualitative study has been to identify the factors affecting the implementation of ILE in Malaysian primary schools and to explore how these factors are facilitating or hindering the process.  The first stage in the research was to develop a preliminary model based on three theories: Hall and Hord’s Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM), Chen’s Action Model and Fullan’s Theory of Educational Change. CBAM provided a guide to identify the stages of implementation and factors that could affect ILE implementation within schools. The other two theories were used to identify and understand potential factors internal and external to the school ecology. Also incorporated into the model were other factors identified from the literature, such as teachers’ lack of time and resources. The interpretive paradigm was chosen in order to produce deep insights into the research problem. To explore how ILE was being implemented and to identify factors that were facilitating or hindering its implementation, case studies were conducted involving four primary schools of different types in Malaysia. Documentary evidence was gathered and semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff in these schools and with key stakeholders in education administration.  Analysis of the transcripts of the interviews showed that the development and progress of ILE implementation is slower than might be expected. Hence, a range of factors hindering and facilitating ILE implementation have been identified. Most interviewees had positive attitudes towards ILE. They believed that ILE was important and had the potential to make teaching and learning activities more engaging and fun. The interviewees however also reported that there were problems in implementing ILE. These problems were associated with individual, organisational, social and cultural factors. It was also noted that there were different priorities accorded to ILE implementation in the case study schools. This was related to the different linguistic settings.  Findings from this study are significant to reorient the education and training system in the country so that students are able to develop the knowledge, skills and expertise essential to fully participate in today’s digital environment. Findings also provide insight into ILE implementation in different social and cultural contexts, so contribute new perspectives to existing, Western dominated theory.</p>

The Perceptions of Principals on their Leadership Role in Pre-primary

1998 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Stamopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
School Principal ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Early Childhood Professional ◽  
Childhood Professional ◽  
Appropriate Practices

The incorporation of pre-primary centres into Western Australian government primary schools has shifted the responsibility for leadership from the kindergarten director to the primary school principal. Concerns have been raised that principals who are responsible for appraisal of pre-primary teachers are providing inadequate educational leadership to these teachers because of their lack of theoretical and practical background in early childhood. They have not been provided with professional development to adequately support them in this role. However, to date, it seems that principals have not been asked for their views about their capacities concerning the pre-primary sector. For these reasons this study investigated the question: How do primary school principals perceive they fulfil their administrative, managerial and educational roles in respect to pre-primary centres? The majority of principals in the district surveyed indicated that they considered administration/management to be their most important role in relation to pre-primary education. A greater number of principals indicated inadequate performance in dealing with educational issues. The majority of principals said the system should require pre-primary training for principals, provide each school with materials that outline developmentally appropriate practices; and provide early childhood professional development courses for principals.

Teachers’ and custodians’ views and dilemmas arising thereof regarding the integration of indigenous knowledge in the primary school

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-368
Author(s):  
Nadaraj Govender ◽  
Godfrey Mutendera
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Indigenous Knowledge ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Standpoint Theory ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Primary School Curriculum

Indigenous Knowledge is largely neglected in the primary school curriculum, yet it espouses the history, art, nature, and traditions of the community from which students come. This study explores the views of six custodians and six teachers on the integration of Indigenous Knowledge in the primary school curriculum in Zimbabwe. Indigenous standpoint theory and participatory research methodology framed the study. Data were generated through focus group discussions with Indigenous Knowledge custodians through individual interviews with teachers. The custodians’ views confirmed that Indigenous Knowledge was significant to their identities, but they were concerned with the loss of their culture due to modernization. Most teachers acknowledged the wisdom of Indigenous Knowledge custodians, welcomed their contributions, but some teachers were sceptical about custodians teaching formally in the classrooms. Several dilemmas arose from the views of participants, which have implication for the integration of Indigenous Knowledge in primary schools.

scholarly journals Information Literacy Teaching and Collaboration with the School Library

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Mertes
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
School Library ◽  
Literacy Learning ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Literacy Teaching ◽  
Student Information ◽  
Entire Faculty

What do school librarians and teachers know about each other? When two individuals with different professional backgrounds and expectations work together, knowledge of the other is required. The study that is presented in this paper contributed to librarians’ discovery of the world of teachers. A qualitative case study approach allowed to gain an in-depth understanding about teachers’ conceptions of student information literacy learning as well as teachers’ practices of information literacy teaching and collaboration with the school library in an entire faculty in a US independent high school. The study revealed that information literacy teaching in formal education is a highly complex endeavor. A major implication for practice is that school librarians need to take into account this complexity and agree with teachers on common understandings of information literacy and negotiate opportunities, objectives, and responsibilities with them for providing pedagogical interventions about information literacy.

scholarly journals MULTICULTURAL VALUES IN INDONESIAN PRIMARY SCHOOLS

ALQALAM ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 452
Author(s):  
Mansur Akil
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Teacher ◽  
School Setting ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Primary School Teacher ◽  
Language Diversity ◽  
Native Languages ◽  
Cultural Festivals ◽  
Primary School Curriculum

The research aimed to understand ways of implementing multicultural values in Indonesia primary schools. This case study attempted to discover the multicultura values in primary school curriculum documents and teacher's perspective on how to promote the multicultural values in primary shcool students, by interviewing primary school teacher in Makassar and examining primary school curriculum documents. The investigation showed that teaching the values of tolerance, respecting diversity, acknowledging similarities and maintaining native languages and local identy should be done gradually by initially introducing the symbols of multicultural values through picture, videos, and observations, then teaching children through modeling and attitudes of inclusiveness. More importantly is teachers' knowledge on multiculturalism so that they could behave equally towards students and colleagues in school setting. Finally, multiculturalism should be embedded in the schools through celebration of cultures, ethnics and language diversity, through cultural festivals, food exhibition, local art and dance shows, music contests, drama, and literature. Keywords: Multicultura Values, Implementing, Primary School, Teacher Views.

scholarly journals Factors affecting the implementation of information literacy education in Malaysian primary schools

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Saidatul Akmar Ismail
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
School Curriculum ◽  
Literacy Education ◽  
Training System ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Social And Cultural Factors

<p>Information literacy (IL) is one of the 21st century survival skills. The concept of IL has spread widely, and IL programmes have appeared in many countries in formal settings such as schools and higher education institutions, workplaces, and community and continuing education programmes. Information literacy education (ILE) in Malaysia is officially integrated into the school curriculum. Though the Malaysian government claims that IL has been implemented in the country’s education system, anecdotal evidence suggests that the extent of ILE is uneven across schools.Thus, the goal of this qualitative study has been to identify the factors affecting the implementation of ILE in Malaysian primary schools and to explore how these factors are facilitating or hindering the process.  The first stage in the research was to develop a preliminary model based on three theories: Hall and Hord’s Concerns Based Adoption Model (CBAM), Chen’s Action Model and Fullan’s Theory of Educational Change. CBAM provided a guide to identify the stages of implementation and factors that could affect ILE implementation within schools. The other two theories were used to identify and understand potential factors internal and external to the school ecology. Also incorporated into the model were other factors identified from the literature, such as teachers’ lack of time and resources. The interpretive paradigm was chosen in order to produce deep insights into the research problem. To explore how ILE was being implemented and to identify factors that were facilitating or hindering its implementation, case studies were conducted involving four primary schools of different types in Malaysia. Documentary evidence was gathered and semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff in these schools and with key stakeholders in education administration.  Analysis of the transcripts of the interviews showed that the development and progress of ILE implementation is slower than might be expected. Hence, a range of factors hindering and facilitating ILE implementation have been identified. Most interviewees had positive attitudes towards ILE. They believed that ILE was important and had the potential to make teaching and learning activities more engaging and fun. The interviewees however also reported that there were problems in implementing ILE. These problems were associated with individual, organisational, social and cultural factors. It was also noted that there were different priorities accorded to ILE implementation in the case study schools. This was related to the different linguistic settings.  Findings from this study are significant to reorient the education and training system in the country so that students are able to develop the knowledge, skills and expertise essential to fully participate in today’s digital environment. Findings also provide insight into ILE implementation in different social and cultural contexts, so contribute new perspectives to existing, Western dominated theory.</p>

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