The Learning Commons: Beginning the Journey OLA Superconference 2011 Sharon Seslija Martha Martin GECDSB
Mar 31, 2015
The Learning Commons: Beginning the Journey
OLA Superconference 2011Sharon SeslijaMartha Martin
GECDSB
What do we mean: "Learning Commons?"
A District Description
• 60 elementary schoolso 7 almost full or full
time TLso 22 half-timeo 33 less than half-time
• 14 secondary schoolso 12 full time TLso 2 halftime TLs
Elementary TLs
• 14/60 qualified with AQ Librarianship
• 17/60 are VPso none of the VPs
have TL qualifications
Secondary
• 12 have AQ qualifications
• 3 are LTOs with no Librarianship AQ
$$$$$ What will it cost?????
Almost Free
Minimal Cost
Moderate Cost
Complete Makeover
Almost Free
• Weeding
• Integrations of wikis and blogs
• Cloud computing
• Student Focus Groups
• Collaboration between school specialists
Minimal Cost
• Shelving removed
• Virtual Learning Commons development
• Book purchases
• First Class conference
• Key administrators to Superconference
Moderate Cost
• Investment in bandwidth
• Students are encouraged to bring personal computers that access school network
• Comfortable areas for reading
Complete Makeover
• Wireless networking throughout all schools
• Increase in professional staff
• Investment in Microsoft Sharepoint to create cloud computing
Weeding and Shelf Removal
Student Focus Group
More books (current fiction, non-fiction and periodicalsColoured printerLamps, rugsFood and drinkSmall higher tables (café style)Meeting and seminar spacesMore electrical outlets to charge computing toolsAudio and eBookseReadersExtended hoursGlue, scissors, staplers, etc.Faster computers
Web 2.0 Collaborative Tools
Grade 7 PLE
Collaboration of School Specialists
TL/CIESC dual role
TL and Instructional Coaches
TL/SERRS dual role
TL/VP dual role
TL Instructional Coaches
Year One: Who: four coaches for half the year
Role: to support elementary school TLs in various areas.
Focus: advocacy and facility management with collection development taking over due to two Ministry money drops.
Year Two: Who: four coaches half the year
Role: to support elementary and secondary school TLs in various areas
Focus: elementary TL supports for program and secondary facility management. Including the development of Java Client training and manual for Symphony
TL Instructional Coaches continued:
Year Three 2 coaches for the full year
Role: to assist focus elementary schools. Principals indicated that they wished to have concentrated support by the Library IC.
Focus: TL support of SIP, movement towards collaborative teaching periods and TL support of school PLCs. Also provide support to collaborative inquiry teams.
TL Collaborative Inquiry Projects
Cross-school teams funding for teams of TLs to examine an
area of practice 5 teams of TLs 4 elementary and 1 secondary topics include technology integration,
supporting SIPs, effective use of combined TL/VP role, iPads, boys’ reading engagement, curriculum mapping and Literature Circle partnerships
Professional Learning for Administrators
9 secondary and elementary administrators to Superconference Friday
Free conference admission
Superintendent paid for travel and accommodation
Virtual Commons: Board
Redesign of the Student Reference Portal
Sharepoint – Enterprise Portal
Cloud Computing
gecdsbtlresource wiki
Reading Forest wiki
NTIP wiki
SPM wiki
HPE Planning wiki
Virtual Commons: School
Learning Commons as Collaboration Central
Smart Notebooks
Collaborative Projects using web 2.0
Both virtual and in the physical commons
Experiential Learning Centre
In summary.....
• multiple entry points
• One step at a time
• Task: complete the sheet
• Questions and ideas to contribute
To End…..
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