ERIC Number: EJ976178
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 4
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1094-9046
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Now Is the Time: Embrace Communication Media and Data Use
Woodward, Tom
Knowledge Quest, v40 n3 p58-61 Jan-Feb 2012
In a world where the Florida Department of Education is in the process of committing to providing all K-12 content digitally by 2015, and where online education is increasing exponentially, schools are changing and so must school libraries and school librarians. Clearly, these are interesting times for all aspects of education. A variety of powerful forces are marshaling to change what K-12 education looks like. The combination of budget cuts, affordable electronic devices, and public pressures to modernize education are an irresistible tide. Whether these "interesting times" will be seen as a curse or an opportunity will be determined by what is to be done in the next few years. In this article, the author shares a few insights into the future of districts as they begin to shift towards digital content and ubiquitous digital devices in the hands of all students. The following themes can be expected to impact schools and subsequently to shape the future of school library programs and the role of the school librarian: (1) Books will increasingly become digital; (2) Online education will continue to grow; (3) Research and information fluency will be integrated into the core curriculum; and (4) Budgets will continue to shrink and testing pressures will continue to rise. This won't be a smooth transition. There will be lots of bumps in the road, and many people will be unhappy no matter what happens. This is a time of change, and the change won't be optional. School librarians can and should play a key role in determining their own destiny, but, the author contends, those choices need to be made now. The future isn't that far off.
Descriptors: Core Curriculum, Elementary Secondary Education, School Libraries, Librarians, Influence of Technology, Electronic Learning, Electronic Libraries, Electronic Publishing, Performance Factors, Technology Integration, Technology Uses in Education, Educational Trends, Trend Analysis, Mass Media Effects, Mass Media Use, Information Utilization
American Association of School Librarians. Available from: American Library Association. 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. Tel: 1-800-545-2433; Web site: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/aaslpubsandjournals/knowledgequest/knowledgequest.cfm
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A