The inquiry research process I have undertaken the last three weeks has taught me an essential piece of being a learner - the feeling of frustration and confusion when you are not sure what you want to learn more about. That frustration is something that I see my students encounter regularly but it is not something that I push myself into very often. To be honest, if I hadn't had the requirements of this course to keep me accountable, I may have been tempted to give up!
However, after narrowing my focus, things started to become clearer. I found it easier to go through the resources I had chosen and also reread familiar documents such as, 'Together for Learning' from the Ontario School Library Association and find relevant information. This document made me start to think of the virtual learning commons as more than just a website or blog. Up to this point, I had been thinking of the virtual learning commons as essentially being the school library website. However, my understanding has now shifted to include the idea that the virtual library learning commons can encompass a website, student blogs and creations, video sharing, podcasts, social media accounts, Office 365 tools and anything else that we choose to share online in our school community.
Here are the resources that I found to be most informative during this researching process.
Buerkett, R (2014). Where to Start? Creating Virtual Library Spaces. Knowledge Quest. Library Spaces - Online Exclusive 42 (4), E23-E27.
This article included many visual examples of virtual library learning commons, which I found inspiring. Buerkett also includes very specific information about the mechanics of choosing a website or blog platform and designing the layout of your school library website to be functional and effective.
Ekdahl, M & Zubke, S, (Eds.) (2014). From School Library to Library Learning Commons - A ProActive Model for Educational Change. British Columbia Teacher Librarians Association, Vancouver, BC. Accessed on 22/09/2019 from https://bctladotca.files.wordpress.com/2018/02/from-school-library-to-library-learning-commons.pdf
This document includes guidelines on transitioning from a school library model to a library learning commons both physical and virtual spaces. The first hand accounts from elementary and secondary school librarians were particularly relevant, as well as the specific recommendations for the virtual library learning commons.
Reid, L (2019). Virtual Library Learning Commons Inquiry. Canadian School Libraries Journal, 3 (1). Accessed on 18/09/2019 from https://journal.canadianschoollibraries.ca/virtual-library-learning-commons-inquiry/
Reid gives specific examples of how to incorporate the needs of your specific school community into the design of the virtual library learning commons (VLLC). She also examined how the VLLC can be used to support literacy links between the classroom and home by giving access to resources and materials 24/7 from beyond the four walls of the library space. Reid also thinks critically about how the design of the VLLC website should be highly visual and intuitive to support ELL students and families. The information in Reid's analysis is detailed, specific and informative. A valuable resource.
Schaffhauser, D (2014). Will This Website Save Your Library (And Your Librarians)? The Education Digest, 80 (1), 37-43.
This journal article is sadly lacking in visuals however it makes up for that in useful information. Moreso than other resources I looked at, this article highlighted the importance of the virtual library learning commons as a way to promote and advocate for library services. In addition, it also had very specific examples of how to involve students in creating content for the VLLC.
Ontario School Library Association (2010) Together for Learning: School Libraries and the Emergence of the Learning Commons. Ontario Library Association. Accessed 22/09/2019 from https://www.accessola.org/web/Documents/OLA/Divisions/OSLA/TogetherforLearning.pdf
This standards document provides in-depth detail about changing the philosophy, physical and digital space of the school library into the participatory culture of the learning commons.
Walnut Grove Secondary School Library Learning Commons. Accessed 18/09/2019 from https://www.wgsslibrary.ca
And in particular, this blog post: https://www.wgsslibrary.ca/single-post/2017/11/29/Virtual-Library-Learning-Commons
The teacher-librarian who initiated the creation of this virtual library learning commons at Walnut Grove Secondary, Mrs. Proske, wrote a candid account of the process. Her blog post highlighted the importance of using the expertise of students and teachers in your school community in order to bring the virtual library learning commons to life. The VLLC itself is highly functional and visually very appealing.
However, after narrowing my focus, things started to become clearer. I found it easier to go through the resources I had chosen and also reread familiar documents such as, 'Together for Learning' from the Ontario School Library Association and find relevant information. This document made me start to think of the virtual learning commons as more than just a website or blog. Up to this point, I had been thinking of the virtual learning commons as essentially being the school library website. However, my understanding has now shifted to include the idea that the virtual library learning commons can encompass a website, student blogs and creations, video sharing, podcasts, social media accounts, Office 365 tools and anything else that we choose to share online in our school community.
Here are the resources that I found to be most informative during this researching process.
This article included many visual examples of virtual library learning commons, which I found inspiring. Buerkett also includes very specific information about the mechanics of choosing a website or blog platform and designing the layout of your school library website to be functional and effective.
This document includes guidelines on transitioning from a school library model to a library learning commons both physical and virtual spaces. The first hand accounts from elementary and secondary school librarians were particularly relevant, as well as the specific recommendations for the virtual library learning commons.
Reid gives specific examples of how to incorporate the needs of your specific school community into the design of the virtual library learning commons (VLLC). She also examined how the VLLC can be used to support literacy links between the classroom and home by giving access to resources and materials 24/7 from beyond the four walls of the library space. Reid also thinks critically about how the design of the VLLC website should be highly visual and intuitive to support ELL students and families. The information in Reid's analysis is detailed, specific and informative. A valuable resource.
This journal article is sadly lacking in visuals however it makes up for that in useful information. Moreso than other resources I looked at, this article highlighted the importance of the virtual library learning commons as a way to promote and advocate for library services. In addition, it also had very specific examples of how to involve students in creating content for the VLLC.
This standards document provides in-depth detail about changing the philosophy, physical and digital space of the school library into the participatory culture of the learning commons.
And in particular, this blog post: https://www.wgsslibrary.ca/single-post/2017/11/29/Virtual-Library-Learning-Commons
The teacher-librarian who initiated the creation of this virtual library learning commons at Walnut Grove Secondary, Mrs. Proske, wrote a candid account of the process. Her blog post highlighted the importance of using the expertise of students and teachers in your school community in order to bring the virtual library learning commons to life. The VLLC itself is highly functional and visually very appealing.
Key Understandings So Far:
- The virtual library learning commons should meet the specific needs of our school community. It needs to promote reading engagement and provide a space for participatory learning.
- Creating a virtual library learning commons is a collaborative process. I will need to involve student, teacher and parent input in order to create an online space that is truly representational of our community.
- The virtual library learning commons is more than a website! It is the sum total of the school libraries online presence and can include social media, YouTube, student work, apps and tools.
- The process of creating a virtual library learning commons is a never-ending one. Once websites and social media accounts are up and running, it is important to seek feedback and be responsive to the ongoing needs of students and teachers.
Well done Reading Review Part C! Your reflection on the process, including the challenges and frustration we all feel is very useful and valuable as a part of this blog. You've done a great job on describing how to keep at it, and why it is important to understand the perspective of our students and what support they need to keep working through something they don't know much about. This final list of sources is well described and provides a very easy list for fellow educators to browse and follow in their own inquiry journey. Very good post!
ReplyDelete