Moving Beyond Tradition: Technologies Facilitating Students' Cognitive Ability and Modifying Pedagogical Practices of School Librarians in Jamaica and Antigua

Abstract

School library collections in Jamaica and Antigua have moved beyond the traditional print-only collection to various technologies that facilitate teaching and learning. Some of these technologies are not directly located in the library but are placed in computer labs where the school librarians have access to them. This research was conducted to determine what types of technologies were used in the libraries studied, how they facilitated students’ cognitive skills, and how they modified school librarians’ pedagogical practices. The sample consisted of 52 school librarians in Jamaica and Antigua. The findings showed that participants had or had access to technologies such as multimedia projectors, interactive SMART Boards, computers with and without internet access, and tablets. These technologies facilitated students’ cognitive behavior by providing them with additional content, and promoted active learning, among other things. Participants’ pedagogical practices were modified as they now deliver instruction using PowerPoint, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, podcasts, and e-books.