Don't blink.....

Watched the video below:

http://tedxphillyed.com/2011/09/video-post-dr-joyce-valenza-see-sally-research/

Not only was it humorous (OMG), but it illustrated the shift in the role of a library media educator from the 80's to today.  The role of library media educators has shifted from that of the "gatekeeper", to one of a coach.  In the beginning, the LME would vet resources, only selecting the most appropriate for the library.  Students would really only have access to the information that was already deemed authoritative.  Now, information is immediately accessible, so the job of LME has shifted to that of making meaning of, determining the validity of, and using information.  The most amazing shift, however, was the audience for this information.  In the 80's, when I was a teen, the purpose was a report for the teacher.  Then, at the turn of the century (yikes!), the audience was the class with the use of PowerPoint.  Finally, today the audience is the community, or even the world.  It sure makes the impact more meaningful for the student.  I was a little overwhelmed with all the tech terms mentioned that I not only didn't know, but had never even heard of.

I am comforted that I am not alone in feeling a bit overwhelmed!

More roles for the LME:  cheerleader, lifeguard, implementer of Bloom's Revised Taxonomy.