Learner Characteristics (Diversity, Digital Natives, Differentiation, Learning Styles)

UGA : COE : EPIT : SLM : MAF : 6340 : Topics : Learner Characteristics

Learner Characteristics
Diversity, Digital Natives, Differentiation, Learning Styles

Required Readings

Bishop 15
IP pp. 68-69

Standards

1.1B Identifies and addresses student interests and motivations
all of 2.1, (Knowledge of Learners and Learning), espcially
2.1B Supports the learning of all students and other members of the learning community, including those with diverse learning styles, abilities, and needs

Supplemental Readings:

Abram, S. (2006). Millenials: Deal With Them! Texas Library Journal, v. 82. View a PDF here. (A version of this piece is also printed in School Library Media Activities Monthly.)
Agosto, D. (2007). Building a multicultural school library: Issues and challenges. Teacher Librarian 34(3), 27-31. Available fulltext in GALILEO/EBSCO.
Corona, E., & Armour, L. (2007). Providing support for English Language Learner services. Library Media Connection 25 (6), 34-?. Available fulltext in GALILEO/EBSCO.
deLong, S. (2007, October). Nix the name-calling: The lazy use of labels cuts off any meaningful dialogue. American Libraries, 51. [r5-15-08; in 6340.pf]
Hess, M., & Madansky, M. (n.d.). Truly, madly, deeply engaged: Global youth, media and technology. Yahoo & OMD. Pdf file available in WebCT 6340 Resources.
Doug Johnson's presentation handouts: Schools and Libraries for the Net Generation
Another good reference: Many interesting reports available at the Pew Internet and American Life Project.
MAF's Bookmarks: diversity; digital-natives
York, S. (2007). Twenty-five years later: A librarian looks back ... and ahead. Library Media Connection 25 (6), 18-20. Available fulltext in GALILEO/EBSCO.
Summers: Culturally responsive school library lessons and service ideas - WebCT 6340 Resources

Discussion Points

Diversity: Selecting materials and providing reference services to diverse patrons

Crayon box diversity
Realize that everyone is "different" in some way, or of some minority; "average" is a myth (in MAF's philosophy)
What kinds of diversity should we include in our consideration?
Problem: under-representation. Interesting stats: Children's Books by and about People of Color Published in the United States from the Cooperative Children's Book Center, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
What are the media specialist's responsibilites regarding diversity?
How can media specialists effectively address diversity?
Key issue: access and barriers to access
To be certified, you must take a basic exceptionalities course (like SPED 2000; certified teachers have already satisfied this requirement). It's frightening to think that you must be prepared to handle all the different kinds of disabilities there are. Let the teachers who work with special children help you; collaborate with them. It's a good strategy in general: any time you have a challenge with a particular child, talk to his/her teacher for help in working with him/her. You will learn a lot this way. However, you are not expected to have anywhere near the level of expertise that a special ed teacher has.
IME's relating to diversity might be ...
How might state and national debate over illegal immigrants affect schools and media centers?
Accommodations for all your school's diversities should infuse your Selection Policy and Orders.
Equally important to learn about all kinds of different people, whether in your community or not
Assistive technology is...
People resources here include...
See also: Cohort7 Blog, 14Jan08.
Your Selection Policy should reflect in some way your philosophy of striving to select among diverse formats to meet the varying needs of your diverse students.

ELL and ESOL

Culturally Diverse Materials for School Libraries

Working with Digital Natives
Digital Natives, Electronic Resources, and The Stuff in the Middle

Digital natives ...

expect control
expect instanteous interactivy
are not passive
think email is old-fashioned and that IM is better
multi-task
enjoy independent discovery
may not enjoy step-by-step and linear progression (because they grew up with hyperlinks)
And where does this leave those students who live on the wrong side of the Digital Divide?

Application

References

Abram, S. (2006). Millenials: Deal With Them! Texas Library Journal, v. 82. View a PDF here. (A version of this piece is also printed in School Library Media Activities Monthly.)
Agosto, D. (2007). Building a multicultural school library: Issues and challenges. Teacher Librarian 34(3), 27-31. Available fulltext in GALILEO/EBSCO.
American Association of School Librarians and Association for Educational Communications and Technology. (1998). Information power: Building partnerships for learning. Chicago: American Library Association.
Bishop, K. (2007). The collection program in schools: Concepts, practices, and information scources (4th ed.). Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.
Corona, E., & Armour, L. (2007). Providing support for English Language Learner services. Library Media Connection 25 (6), 34-?. Available fulltext in GALILEO/EBSCO.
deLong, S. (2007, October). Nix the name-calling: The lazy use of labels cuts off any meaningful dialogue. American Libraries, 51. [r5-15-08; in 6340.pf]
Logo by CoolText
Summers, L.L. (2007?). Culturally responsive school library lessons & service ideas. Conference handout available in WebCT 6340 Resources.
York, S. (2007). Twenty-five years later: A librarian looks back ... and ahead. Library Media Connection 25 (6), 18-20. Available fulltext in GALILEO/EBSCO.

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Page history: Combined several old content sections here on 12-18-08. Structural 1-5-09; 1/6. Refreshed 2-27-09.