The Learning Commons: A New Direction for 21st Century Libraries

1. The Learning Commons: A New Direction for 21st Century Libraries   Kelly Wescott LIBR 233

2. Old Library • Storage facility for books • Little technology- only a few outdated computers • Old big bulky furniture

3. Old Library • Librarian seen as the "keeper of the books" rather than an playing an active part in student learning • Boring • Lack of collaboration between staff

4. Old Library photo from http://www.k12.hi.us/~kalama/learning/library.html

5. The Learning Commons The highest achieving students come from schools with a good school library center. -Lance, Rodney, & Hamilton-Pennell, 2000

6. Research "The school library has a long and successful history of improving student achievement through collaboration."  "Research has consistently shown that in schools where the teacher-librarian and the classroom teacher collaborate to design, teach, and assess learning experiences together, test scores are consistently higher." -Loertscher, Koechlin, & Zwaan, p.54, 2008

7. Research "Ninety-seven percent of Americans agree that school library programs are an essential part of the education experience because they provide resources to students and teachers." -The Condition of US Libraries: School Library Trends 1999-2009

8. AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner • Be able to use skills,resources, & tools to: • Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge. • Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge • Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as a member of our democratic society • Pursue personal and aesthetic growth. • AASL: Standards for the 21st Century Learner

9. Building a Learning Commons The learning commons will be both a physical and virtual place where students, teachers, parents and administrators can learn, grow, collaborate, interact, communicate, play, and work.  Koechlin, Rosenfeld, & Loertscher, p.9, 2010

10. Building a Learning Commons “In order to be successful in a world characterized by rapid change, today’s students not only need to build deep understanding of various disciplinary knowledge, they also need to learn transferable 21st century skills that boost their critical thinking, problem solving, decision making, and communicating abilities.” -Koechlin, Rosenfeld, & Loertscher, p.1, 2010

11. Communication & The Learning Commons

12. Building a Learning Commons Technology • Laptops • Wireless Network • E-Readers Image from http://sierraclubgreenhome.com/

13. Physical Learning Commons • Circulating Book Collection • Open Spaces • Bright and Natural Light • Lightweight Furniture that is Easy to Move • Spaces for Groups to Meet • Comfortable Chairs for Individuals • Small Group Meetings • Book Displays • Experimental Learning Center

14. Experimental Learning Center • Center for Schools Professional Learning Community • Collaborative Strategies • Professional Development • New Teacher Orientation & Development • Cross Grade Level Initiatives • Grant Writing • School Wide Initiatives • Testing for New Curriculum

15. Virtual Learning Commons • 24/7 Access • Class Blogs • Book Talks and Trailers • Web 2.0 Tools & Technologies • Spaces for Groups to Meet • Showcase Students Work • Virtual Book Clubs • Knowledge Building Centers

16. Knowledge Building Center

17. The Look of a Learning Commons

18. The Learning Commons will greatly increase the sense of community within the school.  It will increase collaboration between teachers and make students more excited about reading and school.  The Learning Commons will become the place that students want to spend their free time.  Both the physical and virtual space will be a collaborative community where individuals can share, communicate, and learn.

19. References American Library Association. (2007) AASL Standards for the Twenty-first Century Learner. Retrived from http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/standards.cfm American Library Association (2011). Improving Literacy through School Libraries. Retrieved fromhttp://ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/literacy/schoollibraries/index.cfm Davis, D. M (2009). The Condition of U.S. Libraries: School Library Trends, 1999-2009. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. Koechlin, C., Rosenfeld, E., & Loertscher, D, V. (2010). Building the Learning Commons: A Guide for School Administrators and Learning Leadership Teams. Salt Lake City, UT: Hi Willow Research & Publishing. Loertscher, D. V., Koechlin, C., & Zwaan, S. (2008). The New Learning Commons: Where Learners Win!. Salt Lake City, UT: Hi Willow Research & Publishing. Valoe, E (2011). The Evolving Library: Supporting New Teaching, Learning Styles. Retrieved from http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/04112011/evolving-library-redesign-supports-new-teaching-learning-styles Lance, Keith Curry, Marcia J. Rodney, and Christine Hamilton-Pennell. How School Librarians Help Kids Achieve Standards: The Second Colorado Study. Colorado State Library and Colorado Department of Education, April 2000.http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/ 0000019b/80/16/84/2f.pdf