Program Learning Outcome 3

One of the goals of PLO 3 is identifying professional problems. Moriz says that before you can make key decisions, one must "consider the evidence and make assessments of the current situation". (Moriz, 2010) This is what led me to my professional development project for LIS 693. I gave all of my staff a survey asking what they would be interested in learning more about and attending PD on. The results were overwhelmingly technology and tools to support technology in the classrooms. We are a recent one-to-one district and so this fit in perfectly with the current situation. This was also in alignment with another goal of PLO 3, select appropriate technology tools. This project not only helped me achieve success with the program learning outcomes, but fulfilled a need for my staff. We began our "Tech Tuesdays" in October and we have now had 2 of the 6 PD trainings that are planned for the 2021-2022 school year.

Hanging on my wall in my office is this section from the NC IMPACT study, "Responsible for planning, developing, and administering the school library media program, the media coordinator oversees the collection development process and assures that the collection supports the established goals and objectives of the school. With professional training and experience in library science, the media coordinator uses recognized techniques for maintaining a building collection of materials and resources through weeding, inventory, and staying abreast of current resources, books, and nonprint materials that support the school media program. Most important, the media coordinator informs the staff of the school of new resources and materials that support the SCOS objectives and assist teachers in the instructional program. When determining the most appropriate resources for the media center, the media coordinator seeks input of the staff through an evaluation procedure of materials and through professional recommendations. A knowledgeable media coordinator can ensure that the collection is an integral part of the school’s instructional program, meeting the needs of the program and its users." (NCDPI, pg. 148) This is where the idea for my LIS 693 evidence based goal project arose. The overwhelming need to evaluate the collection and begin to make substantial changes that would be relevant and meet the needs of my students and staff was an important goal that I wanted to begin while in the MLIS program. I know that this is a process that will continue long after graduation, but having guidance and a beginning with support and encouragement is what I need to continue in this endeavor. The result of a project of this magnitude can improve our school in so many areas, including circulation statistics, student performance and student achievement.