The Learning Commons: A New Direction for 21st

Century Libraries  

Kelly WescottLIBR 233

• Storage facility for books

• Little technology- only a few outdated computers

• Old big bulky furniture

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

Old Library

Old Library

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

The Learning Commons

The highest achieving students come from schools with a good school library

center.-Lance, Rodney, & Hamilton-Pennell, 2000

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

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

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner

Be able to use skills,resources, & tools to: 1.Inquire, think critically, and gain

knowledge.2.Draw conclusions, make informed

decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and create new knowledge

3.Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as a member of our democratic society

4.Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.       AASL: Standards for the 21st Century Learner

Building a Learning CommonsThe 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

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

Communication & The Learning Commons

Building a Learning Commons

Technology• Laptops• Wireless Network• E-Readers

Image from http://sierraclubgreenhome.com/

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

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

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

 

Knowledge Building Center

The Look of a Learning Commons

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.

ReferencesAmerican Library Association. (2007) AASL Standards for the Twenty-first Century Learner. Retrived fromhttp://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/standards.cfm  American Library Association (2011). Improving Literacy through School Libraries. Retrieved from http://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