First Teaching Day!

1. Why is orientation an important part of the library?
             Orientation is an important part of the library because it teaches students how to properly use the library and what to expect when they visit. Students need to know how to find information on their own before they come and ask for help. Orientation teaches students how to start on research and what to do if they get stuck. Librarians are always available to help but they need to know the basics to do it on their own.

2. How often do you teach orientation?
             I teach orientation the first month of each semester. I only teach it to freshman English classes. It lasts for one class period. In that class period I teach them what they will find in each section of the library and how to use our card catalog. I then show them basic searches for finding information in the card catalog and how changing your wording makes a difference in what you find.

3. Do you think orientation makes a difference in how the students use the library?
              I do think orientation makes a difference in how the students use the library. They come in and they have an idea of where to start. Orientation gives them the confidence that they can actually find the information on their own and not have someone walk them through it. This is important at the high school level.

Reflection:
             Teaching orientation was interesting because I don't remember it from when I was a student. I enjoyed talking to the students and learning how they felt about using the library. I feel like teaching this class was probably the hardest one I did only because I had no idea what to expect since it was the first time I taught in the library. During the course of the day it reenforced the fact that I am definitely in a field that I love.

First Day!

1. What makes the library an important part (hub) of the school?
            The library is an important part of the school because it allows students to collaborate across grade levels and those who are in different classes. For example we have a freshman and a junior that have the same English teacher. They have been assigned similar assignments. In the library they can get together and discuss what the assignment is and how to tackle it. Another example would be 2 students in the same history class but with different teachers. The library gives students and teachers alike a place to come and work together.

2. Do you feel like teachers use the library to its full advantage?
            I don't feel like teachers use the library to its full advantage. The teachers who use the library the most are those who teach English or those who need the library for the computers. The library has so much more to offer, from reference to lit crit to college/career information. Teachers have things in the library at their disposal that they don't have in the classroom, yet they don't use it. Upon interviewing teachers I found the reason for this is time. Teachers don't have time to take advantage of the library because of testing.

3. What is the library used for?
             The library is mainly used by English teachers for research papers and practice writing assessments. We have the odd teacher that uses it either as a computer lab or those who schedule it for assignments.


Reflection:
              I enjoyed  my first day in the library. I was excited to get started because this is the school I attended for high school so I know the librarian and I know several of the teachers. I found that this helped me to get started. I was greeted like I belonged and not just as the odd person there. I look forward to the rest of my practicum!