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THE ROLE OF ELEMENTARY MEDIA SPECIALISTS IN THE OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN RELATION TO THE MICROCOMPUTER (LIBRARIAN, NEBRASKA)
Abstract
This study was an attempt to determine how elementary media specialists in the Omaha, Nebraska, Public Schools are expected to interact with microcomputers in order to integrate their use into the media specialist's position of responsibilities. This research included such matters as the amount and type of educational preparation, the amount of time spent using the microcomputer for clerical duties, and the amount of time spent in computer instruction as well as the type of instruction given. Data were gathered through personal interviews with all elementary school media specialists employed by the Omaha Public Schools during the fall semester of the 1984-1985 school year. Interviews were conducted utilizing questions developed by the researcher. The conclusions drawn from the data indicated that the majority of the respondents felt comfortable with the microcomputer. Educational preparation was acquired through a variety of sources, but nearly all the media specialists had completed one or more inservice courses sponsored by the Omaha Public Schools. In most cases where media specialists teach computer skills to students, basic computer usage is the area stressed. There is a generally positive attitude toward microcomputer use in elementary school media centers, including a great deal of interest in the potential computerization of various operations of media centers, including cataloging. One area of strong concern is the balance between the teaching of literature and library skills versus the teaching of computer skills. A recommendation made was that computer instruction should be taught by a person trained in computers. Such instruction could be accomplished by the indentification of a corps of computer teachers who would travel to assigned buildings on a regular basis. Further, the district should formalize its policy on microcomputer instruction to provide more uniformity among schools. Reclarification of the role of elementary media specialists with regard to microcomputer use and instruction is desirable.
Subject Area
Curricula|Teaching
Recommended Citation
WESTFALL, LOIS RIPPEN, "THE ROLE OF ELEMENTARY MEDIA SPECIALISTS IN THE OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN RELATION TO THE MICROCOMPUTER (LIBRARIAN, NEBRASKA)" (1985). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI8521486.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI8521486