2 Responding to an Era of Complex Change

6 The Emergence of the Learning Commons

14 Learning to Learn: From Information to Knowledge Creation

29 Developing the Individual in the Learning Commons

34 Transition and Change

40 Making the Learning Commons Happen

44

52

Appendix A: The Inquiry Process

Selected Resources

Responding to an Era of Complex Change

Societal change

Challenge to schools

Learning Commons addresses challenge

• Learning collaboratively• Whole school approach• Beyond walls of the school• New learner relationships• New technologies utilized• New ways to learn• School library a natural leader• Meet needs and realities of

new learners

The Emergence of the Learning Commons

Integration of new and old

Physical and virtual space

Global networks

• Welcoming environments• Individual/differentiated

learning• Equitable access• Learning partnerships• Deep technological learning• Learning to learn for life• “Reconfigure” the school

library

The Emergence of the Learning Commons

Learning to Learn: From In formation to Knowledge Creation

Dynamic learning experience

Beyond retrieval to construction

Guided journey: Information to knowledge

• Building collective knowledge• Reading engagement• Multiple literacies• Critical and creative thinking• Discovery and guided inquiry• Creating a culture of inquiry• Learning to learn• Deep understanding and

knowledge creation

Learning to Learn: From In formation to Knowledge Creation

Developing the Individual in the Learning Commons

Unlimited information

Issues (bias, plagiarism, privacy, intellectual property) require deep understanding

Library as partner in navigation

• Divergent thinking and new ways of sharing information

• Developing confidence and self-esteem in diverse experiences

• Developing cultural awareness and social contribution through inquiry

• Character education at the centre of the learning commons

Transition and Change

Transferable skills

Unprecedented level of knowledge and diversity of expression

Bridge to pertinent, engaging and significant learning

• Careful monitoring and planning of transition

• Awareness of contexts• Commitment of all

stakeholders• New pedagogical shifts

inherent in learning commons• Evidence-based practice• Professional learning networks

and communities

Making the Learning Happen

In process to meet progress

Co-operation & collaboration of all

Principal vital to climate of growth and experimenta-tion

• How will the Learning Commons logically be developed?

• How will the overall leadership of the Learning Commons be shared across the school?

• How can the school library program be essential to the success of the Learning Commons?

Making the Learning Happen

I believe our only hope for the future is to adopt a new conception of human ecology, one in which we start to reconstitute our conception of the richness of human capacity. Our education system has mined our minds in the way that we strip mined the earth…and for the future it won’t service. We have to rethink the fundamental principles on which we are educating our children.

Ken Robinson, 2006