Future Vision Project - Library Learning Commons Website/Virtual Learning Commons Design Considerations

According to the Canadian Library Association (2014), “The library learning commons is the physical and virtual collaborative learning hub of the school” (p. 5). Up until now, my focus has been on improving the physical space in the library and updating our collection, but I would also like to create a Library Learning Commons (LLC) website. According to Richardson (2012), “Access doesn’t automatically come with an ability to use the Web well. We aren’t suddenly self-directed, organized, and literate enough to make sense of all the people and information online — or savvy enough to connect and build relationships with others in safe, ethical, and effective ways” (pp. 169-171). For this reason, I would like to create a digital hub where students can go to access information both at school and at home. However, while I started with the idea of simply creating a space for students to go to help them with research, I am now considering the idea of creating a Virtual Learning Commons (VLC). According to the Canadian Library Association, the VLC becomes an extension of the LLC so it is available to students and learners 24/7” (2014, p. 35).

Furthermore, Loertscher and Koechlin (2012) suggest “The Virtual Learning Commons (VLC) is the online force of the Learning Commons; it's a digital learning community in which the whole school participates” (p. 20). They suggest “It is not a library website that only provides a one-way stream of useful information,” but it is “a place where individuals and groups are actively learning, communicating, and building together in real time” (2012, p. 20). Loertscher worked with a class at San Jose State University to divide the Virtual Learning Commons into five main rooms or portals. They are as follows:

-       The Information Center: like a traditional school library home page with links to useful resources such as the OPAC and databases

-       The Literacy Center: includes work done by students including book reviews, book trailers, etc.

-       The Knowledge Building Center: collaborative workspaces that may include blogs and wikis

-       The Experimental Learning Center: a place for collaborative planning that may include tutorials and professional development resources

-       The School Cultural Center: celebration of learning and events, like a “living school yearbook” (2012, p. 22)

Fore more information and examples of what you could put in each of these spaces, visit the SLAV (School Library Association of Victoria) Library Learning Commons website and check out the PowerPoint presentation and Google Sheet.

VLC Rooms to Build, SLAV (School Library Association of Victoria) Library Learning Commons

In Leading Learning, the Canadian Library Association actually created an Appendix titled “Tips for Building a Virtual Learning Commons” and they suggest that just as we want to redesign our physical space to transform the library into a Library Learning Commons, we should redesign our school website to facilitate collaboration (2014, p. 35). Similarly, Wisniewski (2008) suggests “Library webmasters should step back and ask themselves if, and how, they are engaging users” (p. 56). For me, this is the key. However, while I like the idea of creating a space that allows for collaboration, I am not sure I would apply the labels suggested by Loertscher and Koechlin. Since I work at a K-5 school that currently has no library website, I would like to start by creating a space that I think will be useful for students, teachers and parents while including many of the elements suggested by Loertscher and Koechlin particularly some interactive components. For example, I like the idea of having students contribute to the site by uploading either written or video book reviews, commenting on a blog, asking questions, or submitting book requests. Personally, I prefer this representation over the “VLC Rooms to Build” image because I thing it is simpler and I like the idea of having a place to collaborate, a place to discover and a place to create.

What is the VLC? Upper Canada District School Board – Virtual Learning Commons

I will continue to explore these ideas in considering what elements I would like to include as part of our online space. So far, after exploring several other Library Learning Commons websites, I am thinking I would like to include the following:

-       Our mission statement and information about a LLC

-       A blog where we can highlight what’s happening in the LLC

-       Links to e-books as well databases and useful sites/kid friendly search engines students can access for research

-       A place to highlight new books in the library including SOGI and Aboriginal resources

-       A form where students can request books

-       A page for parents including links to the public library website, the BC Curriculum as well as a list of useful apps

-       A teacher resource page with links to tech tutorials, helpful resources such as forms to setup students with their GSuite accounts, information on virtual field trips and links to other sites such as Adrienne Gear’s blog

In my next post, as I examine who this space will be for in more detail, I will explore specific websites I am interested in emulating to support my audience. For now, in terms of the design, I’ve been thinking about which platform to use to create the LLC website. Out of all the websites I have visited, I particularly like ones designed in Google and Weebly because they are visually appealing and easy to organize. I will probably create my site using Google Sites because I have a school district Google account so I can easily integrate documents from Google Drive. In addition, I would like others to be able to contribute to the site or potentially take over editing it should I ever leave the school, so by creating it as a Google Site I can share it with my colleagues and give them access to edit it.

References

Canadian Library Association. (2014). Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.seobrothers.co/resources/clatoolbox_files/llsop.pdf

Loertscher, D. V. & Koechlin, C. (2012). The Virtual Learning Commons and School Improvement. Teacher Librarian, 39(6), 20-24.

Richardson, W. (2012). Why School?: How Education Must Change When Learning and Information Are Everywhere [Kindle Single]. TED Conferences.

SLAV Learning Commons (2014). Virtual LC. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/slavlearningcommons/virtual-lc

Upper Canada District School Board (2019). Virtual Learning Commons. Retrieved from http://vlc.ucdsb.ca/vlchome

Wisniewski, J. (2008). The New Rules of Web Design. Online 32(2), 55-57.