Future Vision Project – LLC Website/VLC Learner Considerations

AUDIENCE - WHO ARE YOU BUILDING THIS WEBSITE FOR?

As mentioned in my previous post, I want to create a Library Learning Commons (LLC) website or Virtual Learning Commons (VLC). According to Kirkland (2017), “The virtual library has huge potential for engaging learners when and where they want to engage. More than anything else that we have to offer, the website can extend the library program beyond the four walls of our physical spaces” (p. 1). Similarly, Richardson points out “real learning happens anytime, anywhere, with anyone we like” and “it happens around the things we learners choose to learn, not what someone else tells us to learn” (2012, pp. 62-64). For this reason, I would like to create a space that is useful for students whether they are accessing the site at school or from home.

I talked to some of my grade 4 and 5 students about the website and I asked them what they would like. They requested links to Google’s sign in page as well as Google Translate, links to websites they visit often such as Prodigy, Epic and Scratch and links to help them with research. When students login to our school district portal, they have access to a list of resources for research such as World Book Kids, but they have to go through three levels of navigation to get to this page and it is a combined list of resources for primary, intermediate and secondary students so it can be a bit difficult to navigate. Thus, I would like to put links to these sites on a resource page that is easily accessible to students.

In addition, I would like to have students contribute to the space in some way whether it is through comments on a blog or by including video or written book reviews published by students. According to the Canadian Library Association (2014), “A learning commons is a whole school approach to building a participatory learning community. The library learning commons is the physical and virtual collaborative learning hub of the school” (p. 5). Furthermore, Canadian School Libraries suggests that students need both a physical and virtual school LLC where they have access to Participatory Learning Environments, Diverse Learning Resources, Active Learning Experiences and Expert Instruction and Guidance (n.d., para. 1). They define Participatory Learning Environments as the “[p]hysical and virtual spaces designed to engage learners in interdisciplinary learning and collaborative knowledge building, and inspire experimentation, creativity, making and innovation” (para. 2). I really want to provide students with authentic opportunities for collaboration whether it is through a Google Doc on the site or by allowing them to contribute to a LLC blog.

Student Success and the School Library Learning Commons, Canadian School Libraries

In addition to creating a space for students, I would also like the website to be useful for teachers and parents. I asked a few teachers what they would like to see as part of the LLC website and they said they would like links to things they use often but mostly they would like to see what I create and then provide feedback. So far, I am thinking about a space where teachers can go to book iPads and find tech tutorials and resources for GSuite and virtual field trips. I also asked our PAC President and a few other parents what they would like on the website and they said links or access to e-books for students so this is something I will try and incorporate even it if is simply instructions to access e-books from the public library.

PURPOSE - HOW WILL THEY USE IT?

I’ve been planning to create a LLC website since the beginning of September, but I would like to create a collaborative space that is useful to students, parents and teachers so I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the space and making notes about what I would like to include on the site. In addition to asking some of the groups involved what they would like to see on the site, I looked at many other school LLC and VLC sites to get ideas, and I bookmarked sites that had different elements I like. Here are some of the sites I looked at when beginning to create my space. Because I am interested in creating a VLC with interactive components rather than a static website, I examined each site from the perspective of Loertscher’s five rooms or portals.

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

Learn34.com, Abbotsford School District

Some of the websites I found consisted of one long page of links and I found it overwhelming, so whatever I decide to include on the site, I would like it to be organized into useful categories. I also want to include image tiles for the links and I want each page to be visible on a computer screen without having to scroll down to view a long list of links. I was talking about this with our District Principal of Learning Technology and he shared this site with me. I like how it has a separate section for primary, intermediate, middle and secondary students. This page is a good example of what Loertscher might describe as “The Information Center” because it includes links to useful resources.

ASIA Sumas Learning Commons (Abbotsford School of Integrated Arts Learning Commons)

I like how the ASIA Sumas website has a purpose for the Learning Commons at the very top of the homepage. I also really like how the rest of the homepage includes images and videos of things happening in the Learning Commons. In addition, on the “What Can We Do?” page, they show resources available in the Learning Commons as well as examples of what you can do with them. For example, they have videos showing how the Makey Makey can be used as well as images of prototypes created using a 3D Printer. These two pages are good examples of what Loertscher might describe as “The Knowledge Building Center” and “The School Cultural Center.” Another section I really like on this site is the “Booking Documents” page. It includes the Library Learning Commons schedule as well as booking schedules for the laptops, iPads and Chromebooks.

Bibliothèque Cedar Hill Library Learning Commons

 

I really like the navigation and how this site is organized. Students can search for a book, find useful websites for research and get support with technology. I particularly like the Research & Inquiry page because like the Abbotsford School District Learn34 site, students have access to what Loertscher would call “The Information Center” where they can browse the visual tiles to search for information. Because I’m teaching at a K-5 school, I prefer how the Abbotsford site breaks the resources down by primary and intermediate levels and includes image tiles in the subpages as well. In addition, on this site, there are many repeated pages, which could be useful if a student is trying to find something but I prefer having one location on the site for everything.

 

Royal Bay Secondary Learning Commons

Although I like the idea of a blog, I like the clean look of this homepage. I like how there is just one section at the top of the page to highlight things happening in the library followed by a few Quick Links. I also like how the navigation is organized into “Tools for Students,” “Teaching and Learning” and a “Parents’ Corner.” Like the Staff Resources page on the Cedar Hill site, the Teacher Resources page is password protected, but from what I can see on the Design Challenges and Virtual Reality pages, this section would be like what Loertscher describes as “The Experimental Learning Center” because it includes tutorials and professional development resources.

École Martha Currie Elementary Library Learning Commons, Anna Crosland

What I like about Anna Crosland's site is that the blog is not just a list of events, but it shows meaningful examples of student learning. For example, I like her approach to the book fair and how she included students in the planning. Because she celebrates student learning on this page, I think this is an example of what Loertscher might describe as “The School Cultural Center.” In addition, I like how this space updated regularly and reflects what is happening in the school because I think this makes it more meaningful. Crosland also includes a link to her Vimeo page where she posts videos of projects created by her students. This section includes elements of what Loertscher might describe as “The Literacy Center.” I also appreciate that Crosland has included links to various Indigenous and SOGI resources. In terms of digital resources for students, teachers and parents, she links to the Surrey Schools Digital Resources page, but there are a lot of links here. I would like to create a resources page as part of our school LLC virtual space. 

HOW WILL YOU SHARE THIS WEBSITE? DO YOU ANTICIPATE ANY CHALLENGES?

Although this site will be linked from our main school page, I think one of the biggest challenges will be attracting students, parents and teachers to the site when I am not in the library very often to promote it. For this reason, I plan to share this site several ways. I plan to show the site to students when I visit their classes and create incentives for them to go to the site. For example, as mentioned previously, I would like to create a space where they can request books as well as a space where they can share their ideas. For staff members, I plan to share the site at our next staff meeting and ask for feedback. In addition, I would like to host a lunch and learn and show staff some ways to incorporate tech tools such as Padlet and Book Creator in their lessons. I am also going to the next Parent Advisory Council Meeting to talk about our vision for the LLC so I plan to share the site with parents at this meeting. In addition, I plan to send an email to all parents with the link to the site as well as post the link on our PAC Facebook page. Finally, I plan to send the link to the site to other Teacher-Librarians in our district and even post the link on Twitter to gather feedback.

Once people begin to visit the site, my next challenge will be to keep the site up to date and relevant. According to Loertscher, Koechlin, and Rosenfeld, (2012), “The Virtual Learning Commons (VLC) is the online force of the Learning Commons, a digital learning community in which the whole school participates. It is not a library website which only provides a one-way stream of useful information. Instead, both the instructors and the students of the school collaborate to establish the VLC as a place where individuals and groups are actively learning, communicating, and building together in real time” (p. 2). I really do want this to be a space to collaborate, discover and create (Upper Canada District School Board), so I want to incorporate many of the elements discussed above and in the examples provided to ensure it is a space that enhances teaching and learning. 

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

Canadian School Libraries. (n.d.). Student Success and the School Library Learning Commons. Retrieved from http://www.canadianschoollibraries.ca/excellent-school-libraries/

Kirkland, A.B. (2017). School Library Websites: The Bricks and Mortar of the Virtual Library Space. TMC2, Ottawa, ON, 2012. Retrieved from http://researcharchive.canadianschoollibraries.ca/2017/10/15/school-library-websites-the-bricks-and-mortar-of-the-virtual-library-space/

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

Loertscher, D.V., Koechlin, C., & Rosenfeld, E. (2012). The Virtual Learning Commons: Building a Participatory School Learning Community. Salt Lake City, UT: Learning Commons Press.

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 https://vlc.ucdsb.ca/c.php?g=99291&p=1337153