While school librarians typically are well exposed to issues surrounding censorship and selection, less attention is paid to the ethics of librarianship and how those play out in the specialized context of school libraries. Attention to the ALA Code of Ethics and the ALA Bill of Rights set the foundation for careful reflection on the role of the school librarian, particularly in relation to the role of libraries in a democratic society.Issues of equity are [inherent] in library service and attention to the dimensions of meaning and implications of the word “equity” is warranted. This module situates equity in the context of educational equity, and the alignment of libraries as gateways to opportunity and education as the pathway to opportunity. School librarians may or may not have opportunities to explore the contexts of “intellectual freedom” in relation to equity.The codification of information literacy in the American Library Association Presidential Committee on Information Literacy Final Report in 1989 paved the way for information literacy to “become the predominant way to frame the educational role of libraries and librarians.” (Seale, 2013, “The Neoliberal Library” in Gregory and Higgins) As such, inquiring into the complexities and nuances of intellectual freedom and equal access to information is essential to understanding the school librarian’s role and responsibilities.Library and school library publications are increasingly recognizing the relevance of social justice to librarianship, as evidenced by a survey of library journals this past year. (example: “Equality vs. Equity” theme, Knowledge Quest, Volume 45, No. 3, January/February, 2017; “Social Justice Symposium” by Erin Hooper in VOYA, June 2017) Recognizing the power of the librarians to not only hold space for critical discourse but to also impact the shape and tenor of that discourse is the first step to fully owning the responsibility that comes with that power.A particularly relevant and useful resource is Information Literacy and Social Justice: Radical Professional Praxis, edited by Lua Gregory and Shana Higgins, Library Juice Press, 2013Learning Objectives:Participants will model, coach, and support "efficient and ethical information-seeking behavior"  (Standard 3: Information & Knowledge 3.1)Participants will support flexible, open access for library services and model and communicate the legal and ethical codes of the profession. (Standard 3: Information & Knowledge 3.2)Participants practice the ethical principles of their profession, advocate for intellectual freedom and privacy, and promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility. (Standard 5: Program Management and Administration 5.2)Participants will understand, model, and share how open education practice brings a transformative shift from a proprietary and industrial education model to a participatory education model. (ISKME: Leadership and Advocacy - Advancing Open Practice) 

This product was developed with preservice teacher needs in mind. Preservice teachers are often nervous about working with students with disabilities. The resources shared here are ideas that can be generalized to multiple classroom settings, for all different ages.

What does formative assessment look like during distance learning? Without proximity, how can teachers gather and act on “in-the-moment” information – the behaviors, emotions, and situations that affect learning and inform instruction?
This resource provides explanations, sample questions, and possible actions to implement formative assessment during distance learning scenarios.

Image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay

Research shows that maintaining high retention rates in distance learning education is a challenge. There are various tools and resources available web-based tools that can help identify at-risk students and measure and boost opportunities for growth and success. Students can take advantage of these resources to prepare ahead of time to ensure a "SMART" start and successful completion of their online course work.

First we will review SmarterMeasure to identify attributes, skills and knowledge and assess competencies necessary for successful distance learning and help identify potential resources to help maximize efficiency in potentially deficient areas.

Then we will review SMARThinking that helps educational institutions offer students outstanding academic support through a network of professionally certified educators focused on increasing student achievement and enhance learning.

These guidelines are intended to support educators in critically examining the role of online
assessment in their teaching, and to provide different strategies and tools that can be used for online
assessment, thereby empowering educators to make informed decisions about how they use ICT for
assessment.

This module is part of a course on Inclusive Educational Practices that offers professional development for educators who aspire to provide a supportive learning environment for dyslexic and with learning difficulties learners.Students have different needs, interests, and abilities. In order to effectively teach them and provide them with rich learning experiences, lesson plans need to be as diverse as they are. This module aims to help educators analyze different learning styles and accordingly build  their lesson plans as to embrace and support not only the needs of specific learners but provide quality education for all students. To this end, tools, articles, guidelines, videos, and examples are provided. Planning a lesson for an inclusive classroom entails less modifications for future use in a different learning context, facilitates a substitute to take over the class, and ensures learning for every child."It is not the disabilities of the students that prevent the implementation of a long effective instructional model, but the environment that is disabling"                               Katz, 2015 

This document was creating with all love in teaching in order to share to new students a fun way to learn.

When we teach online, it is important to consider the tools we use, the purpose of assessments and learning activities and how they align with our learning objectives, and how we can encourage active learning. We know that both students and faculty can be overwhelmed with weekly discussion boards, and these discussions can seem onerous if they are all about checking whether or not students have done their reading. Rather, we are looking to mimic the fluidity and the engagement we have in face-to-face class discussions and to promote students' internal motivation for participating. First, we need to identify our purpose(s) for using the discussion tool (assessment or learning activity) and then we need strateigies to promote active learning.

The purpose of this online school setting functioning skills assessment is to determine the likelihood of student success in the online school setting based on specific online functioning skills. Target skills were selected from over six years of observational, qualitative and quantitative data in an online school setting. Students who have strong online functioning skills appear to be more successful in the online school setting according to the data. This assessment form can be used by students to self assess, and/or by a student's parents, administrators and teachers in collaboration. The from consists of ten questions based on the most important functioning skills and behaviors needed in order have the best chance of success in an online setting. Participants are asked to answer on a 1-4 rubric resulting in a Total Score in order to determine the likelihood of success online. Assessment data is expected to be used to drive student interventions including teacher instruction of functioning skills, student self assessment, and ongoing progress monitoring. While this was created for Special Education Students, it can be used for any student or adult who is engaged in online learning.