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About Me

hi. I'm Jess Skoczek

As a teacher with 5 years experience working in a low socioeconomic high school, it has become evident that many students lack the critical skills necessary to be successful 21st century learners. Furthermore, many teachers lack the time, resources or skills to rectify this within the scope of the curriculum. To address this, I am undertaking a Masters in Education (Teacher librarianship) at Queensland University of Technology.

About this Portfolio

This portfolio houses the results of my professional learning journey. It includes this short biography about me and an overview of the portfolio completed as part of the requirements of LCN615 Learning Hubs which required the evaluation of an existing school library, which I undertook at my substantive school. Currently, the site lacks a teacher librarian, although I am hopeful that this role  can be developed. Sadly, this is not a unique situation, with the 2010-2011 Senate investigation into school libraries documenting the widespread under-staffing and under-resourcing of school libraries (Commonwealth of Australia, 2011, p. 32-3). This portfolio includes as a critical analysis of the placement along with recommendations to improve practice at the site in line with scholarly literature and the AITSL Standards for teacher librarian practice (AITSL, 2014). It gives examples professional leadership activities I undertook at the site. It considers the current situation in comparison to best practice models and identify opportunities for development. My understanding of the wider school community and existing relationships created an exciting opportunity to evaluate current practice and demonstrate the value of a appropriately staffed library. The initial analysis has clearly shown that there are overwhelming opportunities to benefit the school community.

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Next, it delves into connected learning as part of LCN600 Connected Learning. This involves the conceptual mapping and critical analysis of an existing connected learning environment and an exploration of my own Professional Learning Network as a connected educator. It continues to dive into pedagogy with an exploration of Inquiry Learning, including an annotated bibliography and a professional reflection

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Finally, it explores best practice in terms of Designing Spaces for Learning. Grounded in a user needs analysis within an existing learning context, it continues with a summary of relevant theories and concepts, and moves on to identify core issues and create a problem statement. A solution -- accounting for pedagogical strategies, sustainability, inclusivity, and aesthetic appeal -- to the design problem is then proposed. 

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The portfolio also includes a blog which offers resources I have developed to support historical inquiry, and musings on the role of pop culture in educational settings. 

References

Australian Library and Information Association [ALIA]. (2014). AITSL Standards for teacher librarian practice. Retrieved February 20, 2020, from https://www.alia.org.au/sites/default/files/AITSL%20Standards%20for%20teacher%20librarian%20practice%202014.pdf.

 

Commonwealth of Australia. (2011). School libraries and teacher librarians in 21st century Australia. Retrieved February 20, 2020, from http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees%20?url=ee/schoollibraries/report/index.htm.

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