Time Management

Obviously I'm not great at managing my time. I have mastered the art of procrastination quite successfully. So I feel like the Management Implications topic was written especially for me! The 'Effective Time Management for Teachers' article was exceptionally helpful.

Check it out at http://www.time-management-success.com/time-management-for-teachers.html

The most important message I took from it was setting aside specific time the day before to plan my next day for Zone 2 (unstructured time). I have more time in this Zone now that I have been allocated some Library time and have other responsibility positions at my school, so this will definitely help. I plan to sit down for 5-10 minutes at the end of every day at school before I leave to go home and create a priority list of things to achieve in my Zone 2 time, that is, the time not allocated to meetings or classes. I suppose I already do this to some extent, but I am not consciously planning my day, just writing a to do list. Here's hoping it works out for me!

Database thoughts

I've just been playing around on some of the uni databases and I have to say "why don't we utilise these more often in schools?" I'm going to find out!

It's fabulous how much information is out there - not just all on the internet or books but through these databases a new world is opened up! I accessed some journal articles when I was doing my Undergraduate course, but I'm loving what I'm finding out through my Masters course.

Role of TL and Function of School Libraries

I see the role of the TL as being a resource for both staff and students to assist with student learning. At my current school, the TL assists students and teachers with finding resources for classes/studies and teaches others/provides information about information skills. This includes research skills, referencing, how to use digital resources, etc.

I worry about the role of TL being one that will last into the future as we move into the digital age. Many schools are beginning to ask the question "why have a library when everything is on the internet?" This, I fear, will be a constant battle we will have to argue and make others aware of critical role of school libraries and how they can evolve in the future. The information about leadership in the TL course should help me understand how to ensure that I can manage my role as a TL into the future. Should be interesting!

Introductions

Hi my name is Kezia Easter. I live in Traralgon in Gippsland, Victoria. I've been a secondary school teacher for just over 5 years now and I'm excited about starting my new role as Teacher Librarian. My school has allocated me to the Library for 4 hours per week currently and I'm learning a lot from our Library Technician and other Teacher Librarian. In my time in the Library, so far, I've been promoting the Premier's Reading Challenge with our students and have over 50 signed up to do it. I've also developed a Library Newsletter for staff and a separate newsletter for students. I'd love to share them with all of my ELT401 study pals later on to see what you all think.

I feel quite overwhelmed about my studies, and as I'm always doing things at the last minute, here I am posting my first blog entry in week 4 of Session 1. Well done Kezia! This is an ongoing battle with myself and one that I may one day win. At the same time as feeling overwhelmed though, I do feel excited about my studies and also about my future career as a Teacher Librarian.

So that brings me to the end of my first post. Off I go to delve into readings and forums...