Reading back over my last blog post, I realized that my general enthusiasm for being in the school library has got me heading in far too many different directions all at once. I tried searching the different keywords that I had brainstormed but I kept returning to the resources that I found for creating a virtual school learning commons. Our school library was lucky enough to recently have had a bit of a makeover and we have received new furniture that is geared towards creating a flexible, collaborative learning space. So when I consider the standards of the 'Leading Learning Framework'
I decided to focus my keyword searches on ‘virtual learning commons’ and ‘school library websites’ and a new keyword inspired by the Leading Learning document, 'participatory learning'.
Whilst the Leading Learning document itself will continue to be a resource for me (especially 'Appendix 6: Tips for Building a Virtual Learning Commons'), my searching on the UBC Library Database lead me to a journal article from Dian Schahausser published in the Education Digest (Sept, 1, 2014) titled 'Will this website save your library? (And your Librarians)'. It includes a straight forward look at the necessity of a virtual learning commons in a 21st century learning environment and certain sections have been helpfully condensed ('5 Tips for Creating a Robust VLC').
While researching I had two things in mind - the first that I was looking for information about how to go about building my virtual library learning commons (VLLC) and the second, is thinking about the impact of a ‘virtual learning commons’ on student learning, reading engagement and participatory culture.
This journal article on the Canadian School Libraries website addressed much of my second inquiry.
and look closely at 'Designing learning environments to support participatory learning', I realized that we have designed a collaborative physical learning commons but we have not addressed the virtual LLC.
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| Screenshot taken from 'Leading Learning - Standards of Practice for the School Library Learning Commons in Canada'. |
I decided to focus my keyword searches on ‘virtual learning commons’ and ‘school library websites’ and a new keyword inspired by the Leading Learning document, 'participatory learning'.
Whilst the Leading Learning document itself will continue to be a resource for me (especially 'Appendix 6: Tips for Building a Virtual Learning Commons'), my searching on the UBC Library Database lead me to a journal article from Dian Schahausser published in the Education Digest (Sept, 1, 2014) titled 'Will this website save your library? (And your Librarians)'. It includes a straight forward look at the necessity of a virtual learning commons in a 21st century learning environment and certain sections have been helpfully condensed ('5 Tips for Creating a Robust VLC').
While researching I had two things in mind - the first that I was looking for information about how to go about building my virtual library learning commons (VLLC) and the second, is thinking about the impact of a ‘virtual learning commons’ on student learning, reading engagement and participatory culture.
This journal article on the Canadian School Libraries website addressed much of my second inquiry.
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| Screenshot taken from https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/virtual-library-learning-commons-inquiry/ |
I found it to be very relevant as it is written by a Surrey Schools teacher who looked at inquiring into the best practice for building a virtual learning commons that served her school demographic (inner-city, high ELL, refugee students). This is very similar to my own school context and thus her article is very informative.
The next resource that I was quite excited to find was from the National Library of New Zealand. They have a very helpful section of their website dedicated to helping teacher-librarians create a school library online presence.
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My initial exploration of this resource 'Creating a Virtual School Library' reveals that it includes many helpful links to other sources, for example this article by Rebecca Buerkett (Knowledge Quest, 2014), which I think I will also use as a resource.
I also found some inspiration from within Langley School District. The teacher-librarian at Walnut Grove Secondary redesigned the school library website to be a Virtual Learning Commons that both provided links to resources and provided a place for students find information about the library and to direct their own learning. An overview of the process of the website design and creation is posted here. I found the collaborative process to be particularly inspiring.
I look forward to examining these resources more closely and deciding how they will inform my practice within my own school library learning commons and the journey building a virtual library learning commons.
Well done blog post! You did a good job narrating your experiences evolving your interests and inquiry topics to capture whats most important to you, your school and your program. I am happy to read it is grounded in solid research, as well as informed by excellent examples. Your reflection and discussion on how your search was so scattered and then the focus and clarity you have now, is a great example for others to follow. Overall, a great mid-search post with some great resources and solid reflection.
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