Based on the model for Coquitlam School District their focus is to expect their TL’s to commit to the concept of a District Wide Learning Commons where teachers make a commitment to work together to “re-align” their school based libraries to a more centralized, virtual place which is curated by TL’s, provides service to teachers and students, and has a single point of access
School Libraries will strive to “connect as many people as possible with high quality Information for learning and decision making” , promote collaboration within schools and move outwards to others while focusing on reading, research, literacy, and resources.
A District Wide Learning Commons
*would be the product of our school based learning commons.
*front page of a virtual library – for educators, parents, students, support staff, and administrators
*share resources for teachers
*research sites approved and collected and recommended for grade level use
* be accessible from any device
*managed by ???
* promote literacy for grade level by teachers and TL’s
* create a space for teacher learning, and a dialogue for sharing
* affirm and promotes positive learning/teaching practice
* be an interactive learning and meeting space, a common classroom, a common office and a think tank”
Janet LIBE 477B Summer 2013
Just another UBC Blogs site
The District Wide Learning Commons sounds like a very exciting idea. As with any vision for online entities, there might be a lack of understanding of what it actually takes to set up, maintain, and continue to develop an online learning space. If I read the vision, objectives, and specifications for the District Wide Learning Commons as a call for proposals, I see a very sophisticated online environment suited for multi-age groups engaged in diverse learning activities. It is possible that the job of the TL is moving away from the information desk in the school library and moving online to design, implement and sustain online learning networks through school library portals. We would do well to pause here and consider what this means, what it entails, and how it might be accomplished. Certainly this is a change to the role of TL, however, it might also ensure the quality of learning and access to information in schools is of the highest order, curated by an educational professional. Much food for thought here.