Category: What is a Learning Commons?

What is a Virtual Learning Commons?

FurnitureWhat is a Learning Commons?

Imagine a school where there is a physical and virtual space for collaboration among students, faculty and administration. This space is “the hub of the school, where exemplary learning and teaching are showcased, where professional development, teaching and learning experimentation and action research happen” (Loertscher, Koechlin & Zwaan, 2008 as cited in Hayes, 2015).  The faculty and administration identify that students learn in unique ways and the concept of a learner centered environment is a part of the school’s culture.  Administration and faculty collaborate to “…build the capacity of learners to make sense of the world around them, to graduate good citizens in a democratic society, and to prepare our youth for successful careers and healthy, satisfying personal lives” (Canadian Library Association, 2014). The British Columbia’s Teacher Librarian Association (BCTLA) has identified the need for the scenario described and are working to transform the library into a Learning Commons in schools across BC, among these – schools in the Sooke School District.

“A Learning Commons is a common, or shared, learning ‘space’ that is both physical and virtual. It is designed to move students beyond mere research, practice, and group work to a greater level of engagement through exploration, experimentation, and collaboration. A Learning Commons is more than a room or a website. A Learning Commons allows users to create their own environments to improve learning. A Learning Commons is about changing school culture, and about transforming the way learning and teaching occur” (Loertscher, Koechlin & Rosenfeld, 2012).

References:

Canadian Library Association (2014).Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada. Retrieved from clatoolbox.ca/casl/slic/llsop.pdf

Hayes. T (2014, Jan) Library to Learning Commons. A Recipe for Success. Education Canada Magazine. Retrieved from www.cea-ace.ca/education-canada/article/library-learning-common

Loertscher, D.V., Koechlin, C. & Rosenfeld, E. (2012). The virtual learning commons: Building a participatory school learning community. Salt Lake City, UT: Learning Commons Press.

What is a Virtual Learning Commons?

FurnitureWhat is a Learning Commons?

Imagine a school where there is a physical and virtual space for collaboration among students, faculty and administration. This space is “the hub of the school, where exemplary learning and teaching are showcased, where professional development, teaching and learning experimentation and action research happen” (Loertscher, Koechlin & Zwaan, 2008 as cited in Hayes, 2015).  The faculty and administration identify that students learn in unique ways and the concept of a learner centered environment is a part of the school’s culture.  Administration and faculty collaborate to “…build the capacity of learners to make sense of the world around them, to graduate good citizens in a democratic society, and to prepare our youth for successful careers and healthy, satisfying personal lives” (Canadian Library Association, 2014). The British Columbia’s Teacher Librarian Association (BCTLA) has identified the need for the scenario described and are working to transform the library into a Learning Commons in schools across BC, among these – schools in the Sooke School District.

“A Learning Commons is a common, or shared, learning ‘space’ that is both physical and virtual. It is designed to move students beyond mere research, practice, and group work to a greater level of engagement through exploration, experimentation, and collaboration. A Learning Commons is more than a room or a website. A Learning Commons allows users to create their own environments to improve learning. A Learning Commons is about changing school culture, and about transforming the way learning and teaching occur” (Loertscher, Koechlin & Rosenfeld, 2012).

References:

Canadian Library Association (2014).Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada. Retrieved from clatoolbox.ca/casl/slic/llsop.pdf

Hayes. T (2014, Jan) Library to Learning Commons. A Recipe for Success. Education Canada Magazine. Retrieved from www.cea-ace.ca/education-canada/article/library-learning-common

Loertscher, D.V., Koechlin, C. & Rosenfeld, E. (2012). The virtual learning commons: Building a participatory school learning community. Salt Lake City, UT: Learning Commons Press.

SD#62 Library Learning Commons

SD # 62 District Library Learning Commons:

In 2014, The Canadian Librarians Association supported the development of Standards of Practice for School

Creative Commons

Creative Commons

Library Learning Commons, which was developed by the Canadian Library Association’s Voices for School Libraries Network and the CLA School Libraries Advisory Committee in consultation with school library associations and educators across Canada.

Here is a copy of the standards: CLA Learning Commons Standards

It is my intention to support conversations and explorations of our own Libraries and Learning Commons. If Teacher- Librarians are interested in exploring the potentials for change within their own Library’s/ Learning Commons then I would love to provide the supports for those to do so.

BCTLA has many resources available that provide resources to those interested in exploring the idea of “Library to Learning Commons”. Here is the direct link to their resources and documented inquiries

BCTLA Resources

CLA Video:

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Additional Resources:

Aaron Muller and Jean Prevost SD# 63: Libraries to Learning Commons

David Loertscher and Carol Koechlin: The School Learning Commons Knowledge Building Center