Fixed vs. Flexible Schedules By: Kimberly Trafford
Transcript
1. Fixed vs. Flexible Schedules By: Kimberly Trafford
2. What is the Difference? Fixed Schedule Flexible ScheduleO
LMS meets with classes at O Classes able to come to a set time each
week media center when theyO Media center only used have a need
during set class time. Is O Classes can come as often not available
for other as necessary, if available class use O More teacher/LMSO
LMS see all students in the collaboration occurs school (Creighton,
2007, Pg., 10 )
3. Fixed Schedule Positives NegativesO Every student guaranteed
time O There is no communication in LMC each week between the LMS
and classroom teacherO There is no reliance on the O Learning in
the LMC often teacher and LMS does not connect to what is
communicating happening in the classroomO Teachers have release
time O Skills are taught in isolation for prep. without meaning to
students O Projects take extended times because students may
onlyHarvey, 2009, Pg. 105 get the library once a week
4. Flexible Schedule Positives NegativesO Requires LMS and
classroom O Some teachers may opt to not teacher to communicate
come for instruction orO Students may come multiple circulation
leaving some times to LMC for circulation students with gaps in
their and instruction skillsO Learning in the library is connected
to learning in the classroomO LMS can attend planning sessions held
during teacher Harvey, 2009, Pg. 107 prep time
5. How Many School Use Fixed/Flexible Schedules? National
Center for Education Statistics Data6050 % of LMC having Flexible40
Schedules30 % of LMC having Fixed Schedules2010 % of LMC having
Combined 0 Schedules 50 States & New Jersey DC
6. What Type of Schedules does each School Level have? National
Center for Education Statistics Data Combined % of LMC having
Combined Schedules Secondary % of LMC having Fixed Schedules % of
LMC having Elementary Flexible Schedules 0 50 100
7. NCESThe National Center for Education StatisticsData
conducted a survey of public andprivate schools in the United
States. Thesurvey asked various questions regardinglibrary media
center characteristics, librarymedia center staff characteristics,
librarymedia center expenditures and collectionholdings, and
library media center policies.The results were put into a
report.Full Report by the NCES
8. What is the Ideal Schedule?In a perfect world all media
centers would bestaffed with a full time certified LMS and asupport
staff to help with the daily operations ofthe library. The media
center would be open forall to use when ever they need. A
flexibleschedule is considered the best way for a mediacenter to
operate. It is believed that with aflexible schedule, teachers and
LMS collaboratemore on projects. This collaboration brings
theknowledge of the classroom teacher and theLMS together to make
sure all students needsare being meet. (AASL, 2011)
9. What is the Ideal Schedule?Some people think that a flexible
schedule in an elementaryschool does not allow students to check
out books. Oneschool sets aside time each week for students to come
to thelibrary to return and check out books. This is done in
smallgroups of 5-10 students at a time. They set aside 10
minutesfor primary grades and 15 for the older grades. K-2
gradeshave a daily time they can come and check out books
whilegrades 3-6 have a weekly time. Students get the permissionfrom
their teacher to go to the library during selection time.This
allows the library to be open for more flexible class time.(Fox,
2001)In one study, it was found that students with a
flexibleschedule actually check out more books in a school year
thanstudents who were in schools that had a fixed library
schedule(Gavigan, Pribesh & Dickinson, 2010)
10. If research shows that flexible schedules are best for
students, why dont all schools have them? Many times, especially in
elementary schools, a fixed schedule is necessary because the media
center acts as a prep period for the classroom teachers. Sometimes
there are budget cuts that dont allow a full time LMS to be
available to the students and staff throughout the day. Recent
trends show that less schools are moving to a flexible schedule
(Creighton, 2007) If a school has a fixed schedule the LMS must
work to have a successful program.
11. Can a Fixed Schedule be Successful? 1. Classroom teachers
must see the LMS as a fellow teacher and include them in their
planning.-LMS can be invited to attend grade level meetings.-Some
schools are required to plan a couple months inadvance. If this is
required by the principal the planscould/should be shared with the
LMS. This will give the LMStime to plan based on what the teacher
has planned.(Formanack & Pietsch, 2011)-LMS should communicate
with classroom teachers overlunch, email or other communication
tools to make teachersaware of what the media center has to offer.
(Ludmer, 2008)-The LMS should show the teachers that they are
familiar withthe standards and have ideas to help integrate
informationliteracy into the curriculum. (Ludmer, 2008, p.28)
12. Can a Fixed Schedule be Successful? 2. The LMS needs to
create a positive relationship with the classroom teachers.-The LMS
need to create a trusting relationship with theteachers they will
be working with. This will helpteachers see that the library offers
an opportunity fortheir students learning to grow and meet the
classroomgoals.-One school builds in a window of time around the
fixedclass schedule. If a teacher wants to work on a projectthey
can ask for an extended time in the library. Theteacher must be in
the library during the extended time.Both teacher would be giving
up some prep time, but itis believed that the extra time given to
the studentsbenefits them tremendously. Without a goodrelationship
between the teachers this would not bepossible. (Ludmer, 2008)
13. Can a Fixed Schedule be Successful? 3. LMS have 21st
Century Standards too- One district created a Professional Learning
Communities (PLC) where the LMS from the district would meet on a
monthly basis to create lessons that would focus on integrating
standards based on AALSs standards for the 21st Century Learners
with content area standards. (Formanack & Pietsch,2011, p.9)
The PLCs must have communication with the classroom teachers
therefore sharing thoughts on how the media center can extend
classroom learning.- Having a fixed schedule allows the LMS to see
the students on a regular basis and create a relationship that will
help students feel comfortable using the library. (Formanack
&Pietsch, 2011)
14. One Librarian Says it Right! This is true whether you have
a fixed or flexible schedule You have to be a constant presence-
approachable and open. Have a tea, invite your faculty to a new
book exhibit, get time on the faculty meeting agenda, hand-deliver
new resources to teachers when you know they are working on
specific projects. These two Cs of Communication and Cooperation
can lead to Collaboration. (Rowe,2007, P. 45)
15. BibliographyO AASL, Retrieved from
http://www.ala.org/aasl/aaslissues/postionstatements/flexschedO
Creighton, P. (2007). Just How Flexible Are We?: The Current State
of Scheduling in School Libraries. Library Media Connection, 26(3-
), 10.O Formanack, G., & Pietsch, L. (2011). Fixed Schedules
Can Support 21st-Century Skills. School Library Monthly, 27(6),
8-10.O Fox, C. J. (2001). Designing a Flexible Schedule for an
Elementary School Library Media Center. Library Talk, 14(1),
10-13.O Gavigan, K., Pribesh, S., & Dickinson, G. (2010). Fixed
or flexible schedule? schedule impacts and school library
circulation. Library & Information Science Research, 32(2),
131-137.O Glenda, S. R. (2007). Collaboration: ITS A GAMBLE ON A
FIXED SCHEDULE. Knowledge Quest, 35(4), 44-46.O Harvey, C.A. (2009)
The 21st Century Elementary Library Media ProgramO Ludmer, R.
(2008). A Fixed Schedule and Successful Collaboration- -An
Oxymoron?. School Library Media Activities Monthly, 24(6), 27-
29.NCES Retrieved from
http://www.nces.ed.gov/pubs2004/2004313.pdf