In the dynamic landscape of 21st-century education, librarians play a pivotal role in nurturing a culture of inquiry and sharing among learners. By effectively facilitating these essential skills, librarians empower students to become self-directed, critical thinkers, and adept communicators ready for the challenges of the fast-moving modern world. This is where AASL C.I. Share and Inquire competencies come into play. But if you're not sure how to execute it, keep reading for great ideas!
Cultivating a Spirit of Inquiry
When it comes to the AASL shared foundation of Inquiry, it is the process of actively seeking knowledge and understanding that lies at the heart of effective learning. As facilitators of inquiry, librarians can guide students through this process by:
- Encouraging curiosity and questioning: Librarians should encourage students to ask open-ended questions, challenge assumptions, and explore diverse perspectives. This fosters a deep engagement with the learning process and sparks a thirst for knowledge.
In the library, this can be achieved through asking open-ended questions related to a book, media, or topical display. Assumptions can be challenged, and diverse perspectives explored by asking students to read excerpts of books from previous eras, read news articles, or other popular media, and take the opposite view for a lively debate.
- Promoting critical thinking: Librarians can help students develop their critical thinking skills by teaching them to evaluate information sources, assess evidence, and draw sound conclusions. This empowers them to make informed decisions and become discerning consumers of information.
In the modern world, there is an abundance of misinformation and disinformation in varying degrees of severity. Identify age-appropriate examples for your students to explore and engage them in discussion. An example we particularly enjoy is the “Inventor of the toaster” hoax, as it teaches students about the importance of establishing a source’s veracity and authenticity, as well as seeing the impact of such information gaining traction. You can find links to the news article here.
- Nurturing problem-solving abilities: Librarians can guide students in developing problem-solving strategies by encouraging them to identify problems, analyze root causes, and brainstorm creative solutions. This fosters resilience, adaptability, and the ability to overcome challenges.
In the library, this can be achieved through presenting age-appropriate challenges of the modern world such as climate change, gender equality in different societies, or even the growing concern of polarization across the country. At each step, students have the opportunity to explore the origins of the problem, identify the root causes, discuss its impact at various levels of society, and then collaborate to come up with solutions as well as providing feedback to those solutions in a respectful and constructive manner.
Fostering a Culture of Sharing
For the AASL domain of C. Share, sharing is the exchange of knowledge and learning products. It is an integral part of the learning process. Indeed, since the invention of the printing press, followed by the Internet, the light-speed changes that have taken place in our world are largely down to the ability to share knowledge and learning. Librarians can facilitate sharing by:
- Creating opportunities for collaboration: Librarians can provide spaces and opportunities for students to work together on projects, share ideas, and learn from each other. This collaborative environment promotes teamwork, communication, and peer learning.
In the library, this can involve creating projects, posters, or displays about a topic that requires research, planning, teamwork, and collaboration. - Encouraging constructive feedback: Librarians can teach students to provide and receive constructive feedback, fostering a culture of mutual respect and growth. This feedback-driven approach helps students refine their work, identify areas for improvement, and learn from each other's perspectives.
Arguably one of the most important skills students can learn is the ability to provide constructive feedback. This is great practice for language skills, interpersonal skills, and understanding the need for a workable solution. A fun activity is to make yourself the “fall guy” in a lesson about constructive feedback. Ask a colleague to roleplay providing feedback to a good idea versus a bad idea. They can alternate between being rude, harsh, or unfair, versus being overly supportive, vague, or evasive.
- Promoting authentic audiences: Librarians can connect students with authentic audiences beyond the classroom, providing opportunities to showcase their learning and receive feedback from experts and professionals. This real-world context adds depth and purpose to their work.
In the library, this can involve asking various members of your community to volunteer some time to evaluate students’ efforts at a project or display. For example, for Fire Safety, you could ask your local fire department to evaluate your students' efforts on that topic and provide additional feedback. Alternatively, if climate change is a topic of discussion, then a local community recycling program or upcycling organization could be invited to discuss the problem of waste and help students brainstorm more effective solutions.
A Collaborative Approach to Inquiry and Sharing
Librarians play a crucial role in facilitating inquiry and sharing by:
- Curating and providing access to diverse and reliable information sources: Librarians ensure that students have access to a wide range of high-quality resources, enabling them to conduct thorough research and explore various perspectives.
- Providing instruction and guidance in information literacy skills: Librarians teach students how to navigate the information landscape effectively, evaluate sources critically, and synthesize information meaningfully.
- Creating engaging and interactive learning experiences: Librarians design lessons and activities that encourage students to actively engage with content, collaborate with peers, and share their learning.
- Fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment: Librarians create a safe and welcoming space where students feel comfortable asking questions, expressing ideas, and taking risks in their learning journey.
By embracing the principles of inquiry and sharing, librarians empower learners to become lifelong critical thinkers, effective communicators, and collaborative problem solvers. In doing so, they play a central role in shaping the future of education, preparing students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to check out our article on AASL’s core competencies C.IV and information creation!
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