Final Vision Project for LIBE 477:  Virtual School Library Learning Commons Website

https://lmactl2024.wixsite.com/virtualsllc

Reflection:

In Reading Assignments, A and B, I identified that I wanted to focus on the transformation of a library to a School Library Learning Commons.  I was inspired by the variety of multi-modal forms TL’s were implementing into their spaces and teaching practices.  I wanted to somehow combine the development and use of a virtual SLLC and story workshop into my final vision project.

Developing a website made the most sense because in my district, at the elementary level, most libraries are just that, libraries, a repository for physical texts, and there is not a virtual School Library Learning Commons.  There is a definite need for a well-designed, user-friendly website for elementary school virtual LLC’s.  The Secondary schools, however, are more at the forefront in this area.  I used the WIX platform to build my site as it seemed to have a plethora of templates and tools to use for a beginner like me.

I knew that one day, I would need to give a presentation to staff on what an SLLC brings to a school community.  Creating a video walk-through of the website is a great way to introduce the virtual SLLC in a staff meeting where I might only be given 10 minutes to speak.  The video would serve as an appetizer and would hopefully pique the curiosity of colleagues to explore what a physical and virtual SLLC has to offer.  Feel free to watch this 8-minute screenshare video of the walk through of my website https://www.loom.com/share/3b96544116234f9a93b2511607343c30?sid=ccaf65ec-b9b6-4bc7-b235-08f9e86334ff

Bass and Miller support the ideology that the TL of a school is a leader in the school community and part of that role is to empower their colleagues to try multi-modal ways of teaching, and have students use the same means to learn and express what they know (Bass, 2019).  Working with teachers in this way fosters a positive school culture.  The ISTE standards for Educators and Adminstrators support these ideals such as Standard 2a. “Engage education stakeholders in developing and adopting a shared vision for using technology to improve student success, informed by the learning sciences” (Bass, 2019).  Building a virtual SLLC is one step towards achieving this goal.

The process of building this website was a creative endeavor.  I looked to other established Virtual SLLC’s for inspiration.  I knew what I wanted it to house.  It needed to have something for all community stakeholders (administrators, staff, students, and parents), it had to be easily accessible, and engaging.  I am happy with the teacher page, the parent page, and the student corner pages as this addresses the goals I had in mind.  Although they are still a work in progress, I feel they are a great beginning.  I then looked at a few virtual SLLC sites for inspiration.  One I found was developed by Pippa Davies https://hcslearningcommons.org/getting-started-using-the-learning-commons/.  She has been hired by this school to develop both the physical and the virtual School Library Learning Commons.  I found her site to be highly engaging and effective for all stakeholders to find what they need and to have a voice in what they are reading and learning.  Her site hosts a student corner as well for students to access and publish their thoughts (Davies, 2022).  All of the above are suggestions supported by the CLA in developing a Virtual SLLC (Canadian Library Association, 2020).

The challenges I foresee that lay ahead is keeping this website up to date.  This is the first time in my career that I have created a website; so, now the challenge lies in making changes along the way.  I would like to include widgets for the community to have easier access to the licensed sites that we use.  In the future, I am hopeful to have access to e-books for the many ELL students in my school who desperately want to read but are still developing their English language skills.  I would also like the website to be more streamlined, but I know this takes time and expertise.  I spoke to a reference librarian at my local library, and he suggested that I enroll in one of their workshops on how to develop a website (North Vancouver District Public Library, 2023).  This is a great opportunity that I would like to explore this year to make improvements to the site.

Overall, I enjoyed the Vision Project as it gave me an opportunity to develop what I would like a Virtual SLLC to be and visualize the role I can play in empowering the learning culture in my school community.

References

Bass, S. M. (2019). Leading from the Library: Help Your School Community Thrive in the Digital Age. Portland: International Society for Technology in Education.

Canadian Library Association. (2020). Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada. Retrieved from Canadian School Libraries (CSL): http://llsop.canadianschoollibraries.ca/

David Loertscher, Mary Ann Harlan, and Blanche Woolls. (2023). Alive! Welcome Page. Retrieved from Alive! Library Website: https://sites.google.com/view/alivesuperschoollibraries/home

Davies, P. (2022). Designing a New Learning Commons. Conference, Treasure Mountain Canada Symposium, New Westminster. doi:https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/designing-a-new-learning-commons/

HCOS Learning Commons. (2023). Student Corner. Retrieved from HCOS Learning Commons: https://hcslearningcommons.org/student-corner/

North Vancouver District Public Library. (2023, June 18). Events – Technology Skills. Retrieved from North Vancouver District Public Library: https://nvdpl.ca/event-category/technology-skills

SD 38 Richmond. (2021, October 14). Redesigning Library Learning Commons Spaces. Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIJ3NbqCNVU&t=10s

SD 63 Saanich. (2014, April 29). Library to Learning Commons: Transforming Libraries in the Saanich School District. Saanich, British Columbia, Canada. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ftD_V_tDsQ

WRDSB Library Learning Commons, Laura Shaver. (2021, September 12). How to Access the WRDSB Library Learning Commons Online Updated. Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ivb2nijpRQ&t=6s