Written by To identify & promote the use of information visualization concepts & tools across all disciplines and grade levels at RSGC.
How has Cohort 21 helped me realize this action plan? At the macro level, the face-to-face and virtual interaction with my CIS peers has made me see the power of collaboration. We all value collaboration and we all say we want more of it. When it comes to actually doing it, we more often than not make excuses for why it is not the right time, or simply because we do not have enough time. I might not be able to point to specific moments during any of the past three face-to-face sessions, but each was enriching simply for being with a group of colleagues from other schools who could share their own experiences. Since everyone does something different than I do, I participated in lots of fascinating conversations. Some of the best moments were from simply observing the conversations of others.
Collaboration is critical to a successful information literacy/library program, but it is hard to achieve. Cohort 21 has inspired me work harder to achieve that spirit at RSGC. The thing I am most excited about doing is encouraging some of my colleagues to participate in the cohort next year.
The interdisciplinary quality of the discussion has made me hopeful. I am interested in many different things, always with way too many books on too many subjects on the go. My plan is to force myself to address as many disciplines as I can in creating lessons and learning strategies for teachers and students. I chose to focus on visualization because it is process applicable to many, many disciplines.
Part of my plan is to train myself on technologies I am not that strong on. I am good with web based infographic tools, but the higher level tools – the more advanced features of Excel and even more complex software – I need to get a grasp of. Many members of the Cohort have been generous sharing thoughts and resources on this topic.
I am most excited by the confidence Cohort 21 has given me in my ongoing quest to reposition the RSGC library as a 21st century learning environment. The emphasis on technology, student-focused learning and collaboration has given me the confidence to move forward with my plans to transform a static environment into a dynamic learning space.
I intend on fleshing out my action plan and integrating it into my practice in the next school year. I will continue to write about my progress here.
Photo by Flickr member Andrew Turner. The Tufte books are typical of the offline reading I am doing as part of my action plan.