Libraries - Keep the brick-and-mortar library
Why yes we need to keep libraries granted
e-books are growing in popularity but libraries are a physical structure that
are used by the students and staff. They also have commuters in them that are
used to read I books. School libraries are still used for reading and research.
Libraries are a comfortable place that are generally quiet and usually
furnished with comfortable seating, which makes them a great place to collaborate
and get away from the hustle and bustle. Here at Upperman High, we hold our
faculty and class meetings (not to mention professional development class) in
our media center. Our school library also is equipped with a virtual learning
lab in which teachers in other schools can teach students.
In the
spring of 2011, the New York Comprehensive Center (NYCC) was asked to compile
evidence of the positive effect on student achievement using today’s libraries.
The NYCC discovered these successes as utilizing libraries to enhance the
achievement of students. An increase in
teacher effectiveness, early childhood learning opportunities, graduation
rates, and assessments are just several examples of how libraries can be found
beneficial.
The first
way libraries were found to be beneficial was through an increase of teacher
effectiveness. By providing the students with access to technology, there has
been a positive impact in which they give students better preparation for their
learning activities. The availability of libraries and librarians assists
teachers and students both by simply allowing more resources and tools to be
found (NYCC 2011).
The second
way libraries were found beneficial was through an increase in early childhood
learning opportunities. For example, when young children have the ability to
access books and technology at an early age, the odds of them becoming an
accomplished reader favors them more than a child without access to such tools.
Literacy levels could increase, as well as independent learning. This could suggest that there would be a
decrease in remedial classes, which would save school systems more money (NYCC
2011).
The third
way libraries were found to be beneficial was through an increase in graduation
rates. It has been believed that schools with increased technology access
typically result in higher graduation rates and academic performance overall.
At-risk students can be alleviated with the abundance of resources that many
schools have to offer. Students come from diverse backgrounds, some less fortunate,
but with school libraries, all students have the same opportunity to help
themselves progress academically (NYCC 2011).
The fourth
and final way libraries were found to be beneficial was through an increase in
assessments. Schools that can provide these tools tend to have increases in
assessment scores than schools who can’t. Many assessment tests reflect on
reading, writing, and critical thinking, which all can be things that library
programs focus on (NYCC 2011).
Virtual Libraries are the way to go –
Virtual libraries, possibly
the future. E-readers are on the rise. Seven percent in one year according to a
Pew Internet Research Center survey (2012). Virtual libraries and its
power of convenience. Don’t get me wrong nothing feels better than holding a
hardback book, but as the world around our favorite Pieces of literature steps
in to a modern world which is very much based on technology what are they to
do? If you can’t beat them join them! Virtual libraries have the ability to bring
forth some of the Most well known and unknown works of literature out there,
right at your finger tips in simply seconds say you have an exam on Edgar Allen
Poe’s the Raven next block only problem is you have never read a single page.
You can easily pull out your smart phone, purchase the poem, download and read
all in the few minutes you have left.
Virtual Libraries would also be convenient because
the world we live in today is heavily based on technology.
The “Net Generation” presses of a few
buttons to open an endless world of information. Students increasingly prefer
the virtual world to printed text (Johnson 2010).
The question is how can we accomplish 1:1
technology devices to accommodate all of our students to access the virtual
library? The answered is
Bring Your Own
Device (“BYOD”). BYOD policies have been gaining acceptance in schools of the
21st century. Adults and our young “digital natives” fill misplaced
without their personal digital devices. In the ninety’s just adults had cell
phones. Now elementary students are packing smart phones around. Stephen Noonoo says “According to a new mobile
learning report from Blackboard and Project Tomorrow, about 50 percent
of high school and 40 percent of middle school students now own or have access
to a smartphone or tablet, a 400 percent increase since 2007”(2012). All in all
students prefer the virtual world.
Reference:
New York Comprehensive Center, 2011. Informational Brief:
Impact of School
Libraries
on Student Achievement. Retrieved from:
Nelson, D. (2012). BYOD. Internet@Schools,
19(5), 12-15. Retrieved from
Librarian on Student Achievement New York Comprehensive Center (2011).
Zickuhr, k., Smith, A. (2012). Digital differences. Publish by
Pew Internet.
Wikipedia,
(1213). Freedom of information laws by country. Retrived from:
