Strategies for Enhancing Collaboration Between IT and Library Services in Education
Charlie Hinsch, Instructional Technology Coordinator at Virginia Beach City Public Schools, is championing a shift in the role of Instructional Technology Specialists (ITS) and Library Media Specialists (LMS) from support roles to strategic partners in teaching and learning.
Hinsch's approach emphasizes the importance of aligning ITS and LMS with key instructional priorities, such as blended learning and digital citizenship, by embedding them into division-wide coaching frameworks. This strategic positioning allows ITS and LMS to lead initiatives that make schools future-ready and prepare them for what's coming next.
By framing ITS and LMS as education partners rather than technical troubleshooters, Hinsch encourages educators to actively seek their expertise. This shift in perspective is designed to help teachers realize that ITS and LMS are there to help students, not to "fix the teacher."
Hinsch also encourages a culture of respect between ITS and LMS teams to foster a cohesive school atmosphere. He advocates for enhancing collaborative relationships between these specialists to strengthen instructional support and innovation.
In line with this, Hinsch suggests that ITS and LMS partner together to lead instruction on AI and digital citizenship. This collaboration is intended to equip students with essential skills like AI literacy and the inquiry model for research, helping them to thrive in the digital age.
Hinsch's strategic alignment of technology integration with instructional objectives also involves continuous professional development led by ITS and LMS. Tools commonly used to support this work include Adobe Express, Google Workspace, ChatGPT, Canvas, and others that facilitate collaborative and interactive learning environments.
This strategic positioning empowers ITS and LMS to move beyond technical support and become integral leaders driving instructional improvement, technology integration, and student success across the district.
Hinsch's efforts have been recognised with the Innovative Instructional Technology Coordinator Award during the Pre-ISTE Summit in San Antonio as part of Tech & Learning's Innovative Leader Awards. His approach encourages growth opportunities for ITS and LMS through participation in conferences like statewide instructional technology conferences in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg.
In conclusion, by positioning ITS and LMS as strategic partners, Hinsch is reimagining the role of these specialists in education, enabling them to drive change, foster innovation, and ultimately, improve student outcomes.
- Instructional Technology Coordinator, Charlie Hinsch, is advocating for a change in the roles of Instructional Technology Specialists (ITS) and Library Media Specialists (LMS) in Virginia Beach City Public Schools, moving them from support roles to strategic partners in teaching and learning.
- Hinsch's approach emphasizes the importance of aligning ITS and LMS with key instructional priorities, such as blended learning and digital citizenship, by embedding them into division-wide coaching frameworks.
- This strategic positioning allows ITS and LMS to lead initiatives that make schools future-ready and prepare them for what's coming next.
- Hinsch encourages educators to actively seek the expertise of ITS and LMS, positioning them as education partners rather than technical troubleshooters.
- In line with this, Hinsch suggests that ITS and LMS partner together to lead instruction on AI and digital citizenship, equipping students with essential skills like AI literacy and the inquiry model for research.
- Hinsch's efforts have been recognized, winning him the Innovative Instructional Technology Coordinator Award at the Pre-ISTE Summit in San Antonio as part of Tech & Learning's Innovative Leader Awards.
