AASL and ISTE Standards

This week, I looked at two different sets of library standards: the new AASL National School Library standards and the ISTE standards. Coming from an education background myself, I am definitely familiar with standards and their use, as well as how often they are liable to shift and change. As I read, explored, and learned more, I was able to see all the awesome ways that these standards have evolved into something more comprehensive and wide reaching than they had been previously. I was unfamiliar with both AASL and ISTE standards, so I was excited to learn about both, compare the two, and apply that to my future work as a high school librarian. The linked crosswalk HERE does wonders to assist in the understanding of how these two standards sets compare. Furthermore, the structure of the AASL Standards is outlined clearly in the video below:
For the purposes of this blog post, I have chosen to compare and contrast these standards using the context and perspective found in Engaging Adolescent Literacies with the Standards, an article written by one of my professors, Dr. Jenna Spiering. Her focus is specifically on adolescent literacy, and the way that the new AASL standards emphasize the need for librarian partnership with and impact upon literacy instruction as it occurs in the classroom. Spiering sees these updated standards as an opportunity to reevaluate the relationship between librarian and teacher as well as the role the librarian plays in literacy education. In her words, "School librarians must think of their role beyond offering a service to teachers or suggesting a flashy tech tool. Rather their goals and expertise make them an integral part of the literacy learning and instruction (broadly defined) that happens across the curricular areas" (Spiering, 2019).  

Spiering also highlights the active role of the learner in the AASL standards, specifically when it comes to curation. Students are encouraged to evaluate and suggest titles for the library collection as an active participant in the collection's curation, whereas in ISTE standards this aspect is notably present. And this is only one example of how ISTE standards seem to lack the well-rounded nature of the AASL standards. Whereas the AASL standards frame the school librarian as a collaborator that works alongside the classroom in matters of "curricular relevance" or even "personal interest" (AASL, 2018) , ISTE standards limit school librarians to tech discussion and digital resource management.

All this is not to say that ISTE standards are bad, but that they do not reflect the full spectrum of librarian potential in terms of involvement in the classroom, as well as partnership alongside classroom educators.  The AASL standards give a much more well-rounded picture in terms of what is expected of the Learner, the School Librarian, and the School Library as a whole. AASL standards and ISTE standards should work alongside one another to establish a well-rounded future librarian. 

Resources: 

Explainer Videos. (2017). Retrieved from https://standards.aasl.org/project/explainer-videos/

National School Library Standards crosswalk with ISTE Standards for Students and Educators.  (2018)  Retrieved from https://standards.aasl.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/180828-aasl-standards-crosswalk-iste.pdf

Spiering, J. (2019). Engaging Adolescent Literacies with the Standards. Knowledge Quest, 47(5), 44–49. Retrieved from https://blackboard.sc.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-13303131-dt-content-rid-94886219_2/courses/SLIS761-000-FALL-2019/KQ_mayjun2019_hres_TAGGED.pdf.pdf


Comments

  1. Mary StaleySeptember 8, 2019 at 9:54 AM

    Interesting view on the comparison. You compared how both set of standards saw the job of the librarians, whereas I compared what both sets of standards said about the learner and how the library and librarian can facilitate this. In the context of the learner, both sets of standards compliment each other. I also like the point you made about how the role of the librarian has changed. A challenge that I have run across is the teacher's view of the librarian's job and role. I am having to literally go to each teacher and beg to be utilized sometimes.

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 8, 2019 at 12:49 PM

    Thanks for sharing this take on the standards Gabbi! Comparing them, I felt they were pretty well matched, but I definitely see your point. It may be helpful to use some kind of blend of both standards to guide instruction and to structure one's library program. I see standards more as guidelines than absolutes anyway, so why not incorporate whatever else you need to make the best program possible?

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