The Library and Learning Commons
Likely the most common space in recent years to be seen as an effective "informal learning space" is the library, or, more commonly today, the "information" or "learning commons".
The library, possibly more than any other space in a school, has seen dramatic changes since the turn of the century as the need to research using physical books and journals has decreased with the dawning of the digital age (Nitecki & Simpson, 2016). |
Essential to a modern library space, says Nitecki & Simpson (2016), is an environment which develops not only working relationships between students and library staff, but also collaborative relationships between students, where they feel safe and inspired to assist and support each other in the learning process.
It is increasingly important to purposefully and explicitly consider the learning process when designing informal learning spaces like the library or learning commons. The two case study videos below give a glimpse of two schools' (one primary, one secondary) experiences with transforming their school libraries into a "learning commons".
It is increasingly important to purposefully and explicitly consider the learning process when designing informal learning spaces like the library or learning commons. The two case study videos below give a glimpse of two schools' (one primary, one secondary) experiences with transforming their school libraries into a "learning commons".
"Transforming a library into a learning commons" (Nureva, 2015)
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"Naperville North High School Library to learning Commons" (Skarr, 2016)
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Since the evolution of the modern school library into "learning commons", informal learning spaces have evolved not only to foster more collaboration and inquiry, but also an awareness of how the space can be used for individualized instruction as well. A school hosts students from a diversity of backgrounds and a variety of learning styles, abilities, and needs. The inherent flexibility of the informal learning space can be tailored to help students take charge of their own inquiry-based learning, as seen in the example of "Makerspaces" on the next page.