Daniell and Smitha MS Learning Commons Transformation Creating

Daniell and Smitha MS Learning Commons Transformation Creating a 21 st century program for 21 st century learners

What is a Learning Commons? A learning commons is a flexible inviting space that supports the academic program throughout the school building. The main goal of a Learning Commons is to “provide a centralized go-to location for all users seeking help with teaching, researching, and being a global citizen. ” A library organized in this way fosters collaborative work and social interaction among users during research and learning. Our goal is to create a bustling place where students’ needs are met and where they want to be. This is a huge shift from the quiet place to just check out books, and we are excited about it.

A Learning commons is…. . Full Service Inviting Interactive Flexible Mobile Social

It’s a place to…. Collaborate Connect Talk Work Think Create Discover Imagine Gather Participate

What we’ve accomplished at Daniel: Removal of over 6000 books and their shelving Removed books that were dated, worn, irrelevant to the current curriculum, or had not been checked out in 5 years. Allows students to see the great newer, more relevant books. Book circulation has increased!

Volunteers from Crossview Church painted the walls for us.

Smitha: Before and After Process Video Link

Surveys and Student Advisory Part of the process is using surveys to identify the needs of your users and the community

New Furniture for Daniell! Cobb provided new tables and chairs through Growth and Replacement Funds. These are on casters for flexibility for individual study or group collaboration.

i. Pads at Daniell! We wrote a request for county cell tower funds to purchase 30 i. Pads. This request was funded! Students are able to use these in the Learning Commons for group or individual projects.

Media-Scapes at Daniell We wrote a grant for media-scape tables at which students can collaborate on their digital projects. We have 2 of these stations and the kids race to be the first to use them each morning. We call these Collaboration Stations.

What we still need to complete the transformation at Daniell: Soft seating areas for collaboration Carpet repair or replacement Electrical/computer drops A new circulation desk that allows for self-check out and reference librarian access.

New Items for Smitha Walls painted Mediascape New flexible furniture similar to Daniel Soft seating furniture Individual seating One i. Pad cart One wireless laptop cart 15 extra computers and drops to accommodate an entire class This will all be set up over the September break

Plans for the office areas (Daniell and Smitha): Student centered uses Digital studio Makerspaces

Questions?