Reply To: Empowering Students to Inquire in a Digital Environment

[Elizabeth Hutchinson Participant]

Yes, being mindful of our learners and guiding them through the inquiry process is hugely important Barbara. Your response has made me think about something else. As far as ‘engaging with the whole child’ School librarians may already have a good relationship with many students beyond the teaching environment. They are more likely to ‘know’ a student on a more emotional level through them coming into the school library and therefore be able to understand their emotional journey through inquiry better. Are they more likely to open up to the school librarian because they are not the ‘teacher’ and be open to ideas supporting this way of learning? Is this something unique that school librarians can bring to the inquiry table?

The only problem with this idea is, as we know, not every child goes to the school library out of choice. However, it is something that could support and help those that do.