Learning Commons Grant: Phase 5 In-Service

Angela Monk @SD36Librarian

Library to Learning Commons:

The JourneyApril 19th, 2016

REC 206

The Shared Vision: Learning by

Design framework, the New

Redesigned BC Curriculum and the

Learning Commons

What is a Learning Commons?

A place, both physical and virtual, for:

Teaching and learning

Professional development

Experimenting

Making

Creating

Collaborating

Change

Inquiry

Communication

Community

Innovation

24/7 access

Why a Learning Commons?

Today’s students learn in a dynamic world where

information changes and expands as fast as

technological innovation. As information grows

exponentially in multiple formats, learners are

challenged to think critically, search effectively,

construct meaning and learning products ethically,

and choose from amongst a vast array of

resources, tools, and services in order to create

possibilities for shaping and sharing new

knowledge.

— American Association of School Librarians

Some Characteristics of a

Learning Commons

Inquiry based

evolving

Future-

oriented

Focused on creativity

Useful documents and websites:

BCTLA Learning Commons page and document:

http://bctf.ca/bctla/pub/documents/2014/SL2LLC.pdf

Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library

Learning Commons in Canada CLA

3 Areas we will look at today:

Physical Space, Collection, and Tools

Redesigning the space, weeding, furniture, iPads, laptops,

displays, apps

Virtual Presence 24/7

The HUB (surreyschools.ca), websites, blogs, Twitter, social

media, privacy issues

Program: Teaching and Learning, Inquiry

based

Policies, collaboration, use of time and space

Designing Learning Environments to Support

Learning: Physical Space and the Tools

The Writing on the Wall: Re-decorating to reflect the change and to

describe what a Learning Commons is.

What happens in a Learning Commons?

DESCRIBING LEARNING COMMONS ACTIVITIES

WEEDING TO CREATE SPACES FOR MORE

LEARNER CENTERED ACTIVITIES

The Elementary Learning Commons

INTEGRATION OF REFERENCE

RESOURCES INTO NON FICTION

COLLECTION

DELETING AND BOXING

BOXES OF WEEDED OLD BOOKS….

BE GONE!

SHELVES REMOVED/NEW FURNITURE ADDED

Out with the old……

In with the new…..NEW LEARNING,

WORKING AND CREATING SPACES

NEW WORKSPACES

SMARTBOARD/TV

MOBILE DEVICES

WIRELESS ACCESS

DISPLAYS: JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON!

WHAT’S HOT RIGHT NOW? WHO’S DOING

SOMETHING REAL COOL?

Makerspaces: not “one size fits all”

Puzzles, 3D puzzles, KEVA planks,

cardboard, LEGO, 3d printers..

iPads, 3D Printers, green screens, robots,

Squishy Circuits, Makey Makey etc.

Digital Makerspaces:

Virtual Spaces: The 24-7 Library:

The HUB school/library page

(surreyschools.ca)

SD#36 library catalogue

Databases /SD#36 On-line resources

Current Library Learning Commons

Webpage: A Resource for teachers, parent

and students

Fraser Heights Library Learning Commons

The TL’s Blog:

Professional blog

http://www.fhlearn.ca/amonk/

Twitter account

regular announcements, information, activities, Pro D for teachers etc.

Instagram account:

Networking and Professional Development

for sharing Learning Commons events

The Program: Teaching and

Learning: Access and Support

REVIEW YOUR LIBRARY RULES AND POLICIES:

USER-FRIENDLY? FLEXIBLE? MULTI-PURPOSE?

EMPOWER your USERS!

STUDENT SUPPLY CENTRE: SELF SERVE/USER

FRIENDLY

Cultivating effective Instructional Design to Co-

plan, Teach and Assess Learning

LEARNING COMMONS ACTIVITIES:

STAFF AND TL COLLABORATION

Advancing the Learning Community to achieve School

Goals:TEACHER PRO D ON TOOLS,

INQUIRY BASED LEARNING, ASSESSMENT, NEW

RE-DESIGNED CURRICULUM

Learning and sharing experiences:

“MEET AND EAT” LUNCHTIME PRO D

Facilitating Collaborative Engagement and Inquiry:

Access and support for students and staff

GROUPS of Students, CLASSES working on Inquiry,

PARTNER collaborations,

INDIVIDUALS working on Inquiry projects

WEEKLY EVENTS : Meet an Expert

AUTHOR VISITS

Fostering Literacy to Empower Life-Long Learners

GRAD INTERVIEWS, TUTORIAL GROUPS

CONCLUSION:

“The basic philosophy of libraries remains

unchanged. We continue to remain

committed to supporting and promoting

intellectual freedom, academic inquiry and

literacy of all kinds. We are just doing it

with a different set of rules, policies,

customs, patrons and structure around us.”

(Pamela Colburn Harland)

Table Talk: Action Plan

TL and Admin

Where are you now? Where do you want

to go? How will you get there?

Guiding questions:

Where are we on the journey?

What have we already done? What are we

already doing at our school?

What do we need to work on?

Where do we need support?

Physical Space and Tools---Virtual Presence----The Program/Culture

Let’s take a break!

Learning Commons Stories:

Juniper Ridington: Teacher Librarian: Simon

Cunningham Elementary: Phase 1 of Learning

Commons Grants

Jody Wilson: Teacher Librarian: Maple Green

Elementary Phase 3 of Learning Commons Grants

Let’s have lunch!

Maryann Kempthorne: LRS Manager

The Library Learning Commons and

Learning Resources Services

Brainstorming Sessions:

Chart paper/ markers

1. Physical space, collection and tools

Ideas for Learning Commons space,

collection and tools that support 21st

Century Learning

Questions: Table talk

2. Virtual Spaces

Ideas for creating a maintained, a well-

promoted, interactive virtual presence in

a variety of media

What now? • Take a picture of your “Physical Space

ideas”

• Move to a different table and take a picture

of the one on that table before moving on

to…….

Questions : Table Talk

Time to move on...

Don’t forget to take a picture

Find a new table and take another picture!

3. The Library Learning Commons

Program

Ideas for creating a participatory,

collaborative, learning community

De briefing:

Great ideas come from you and your

colleagues!

Share your creativity, learning, ideas!

Thanks for coming! Good luck on the

journey!