Where the ISTE standards provide guidelines for teachers, administrators, coaches, and computer science educators as they prepare students for productive and efficient roles in the digital age, AASL standards are for school librarians. While there are certainly differences, ultimately “both sets focus on acquiring the skills to pursue knowledge”. (Dotson & Dotson-Blake, 2015,) and this is where one must focus as one prepares for and designs the role of the school librarian.
As a school librarian, especially one in a middle or high school with a flexible schedule (no scheduled classes), it it crucial to carve out one’s role and responsibilities with the students’ pursuit of knowledge at the forefront of one’s days (the absence of this focus will relegate you to the laminator or poster maker and soon your school will come to see a PTO volunteer as capable as you at the cold lamination!). Providing both a physical space as well as a suitable environment within the media center for students to inquire, explore, and engage (foundations of the AASL standards) is essential, and the media center can offer the student-centered view that is called for within the ISTE standard - the student as patron inquiring and exploring with appropriate guidance from their librarian. With that guidance from the librarian, the student gains the ISTE-level empowerment.
Collaboration is a common element in both sets of standards, and this collaboration can take place between librarian and student, but should also be modeled for the student between librarian and classroom teacher as well as administration. As the librarian, one should seek out teachers and work with them to design and implement lessons with and for the students, lessons that use the tools within the library and showcase the skills acquired with library resources.
Standing on the foundations of the AASL standards and considering the common goal of the AASL and ISTE standards (a critical, analytical, engaged and productive member of the digital and global community), the school librarian will play an integral role in her or her community.
Dotson, K. D., & Dotson-Blake, K. (2015). Factors of engagement: Professional standards and the library science internship. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 59(3), 54-63.
