What is a Learning Commons?
A prevalent concept for enhanced school library services is that of a central “school library learning commons” in the school. Around the world progressive libraries are moving toward the learning commons concept of flexibility, so activities and spaces in the library and on the library’s web site are flexible in design and/or furnishings to accommodate a variety of learning activities; e.g., collaborative community space, a coffee house concept.
A school library learning commons also supports ongoing critical thinking, inquiry, action research, interdisciplinary learning and brain-based learning. A school library learning commons becomes a place of active learning in real-time or online with project, problem-based, experiential, and cooperative learning that is ideally coordinated by a teacher-librarian.
The school library is a gateway to the virtual landscape; e.g., Web 2.0, social networking, podcasts, animation, film, gaming, re-mix, online databases and virtual libraries. Reading fiction and non-fiction in a multitude of formats is cornerstone to a student’s ability to access, examine, evaluate, restructure, create, communicate and reflect upon learning and knowledge. (AB Ed March 2011 FAQ)
A school library learning commons also supports ongoing critical thinking, inquiry, action research, interdisciplinary learning and brain-based learning. A school library learning commons becomes a place of active learning in real-time or online with project, problem-based, experiential, and cooperative learning that is ideally coordinated by a teacher-librarian.
The school library is a gateway to the virtual landscape; e.g., Web 2.0, social networking, podcasts, animation, film, gaming, re-mix, online databases and virtual libraries. Reading fiction and non-fiction in a multitude of formats is cornerstone to a student’s ability to access, examine, evaluate, restructure, create, communicate and reflect upon learning and knowledge. (AB Ed March 2011 FAQ)
For more information see:Achieving Information Literacy, Standards for School Library Programs in Canada (2003)
http://www.clatoolbox.ca/casl/slic/ American Association of School Librarians. Standards for the 21st-Century Learner (2007) http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/standards.cfm Click here for more info on Learning Commons
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School Library Services Initiative
Click here for the FAQ on the School Library Services Initiative