Curation of Learning 2

Curation Of Learning

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Another school year is upon us, how quickly they come and go. As I sit here in my classroom and think about all the million of tasks I have before me and wonder how can I meet all my students needs. I am reminder that each year is a time for learning not only for my students but also for myself.


As I mentioned before I am a grade one classroom teacher, I am not yet an employed Teacher-Librarian as in my school district those jobs are far and few between.  The Calgary Board of Education, like many school districts, had funding cut many years ago and slowly the importance of libraries are becoming more prominent. Currently my school has a Library Assistant, to be an assistant only requires a 60hour course. So you can imagine how far behind my school is with the transition to a learning commons, and unfortunately my school is not the only one in my school district. I am coming close to an end of my journey on becoming an educated Teacher-Librarian and yet I still feel I have so much more to learn. So many burning questions I have while going down this road but the main question I always go back towards is,

What is a Learning Commons how it differs from a traditional library; how can a Teacher Librarian build literacy in all students?


I keep going back to these questions as I have volunteered to be apart of the library committee at my school, which consists of my principal and myself. I want to make sure my ‘expert’ knowledge on Learning Commons is correct and that I help with a smooth transition from a traditional library to a Learning Commons, being conscious and respectful of reluctant staff members. With my school being 80% English Language Learners and the importance of digital literacy how can I make sure that I can provide the right resources and support for my school community to build literate global citizens.

Module 2
What essential components, in your opinion must a teacher-librarian and school have to create and nurture a library learning commons?
How do you feel about the renaming of the school library to learning commons?



As a Teacher-Librarian or a member of a school community a specific quote comes to mind on how it takes a village to raise a child. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to nurture a learning commons. One essential and main component I want to focus on in my opinion a teacher, teacher-librarian and school must have in common is cohesive collaboration. Hayes article Library to Learning Commons states how to “collaborate with teachers and administrators [creates] a recipe for success” this is a focal component transition from a library to a learning commons (2014). Teachers are resistant to change initially, in my experience, and when you build a positive relationship change is more of a possibility. I know that at my school when I started to weed the reference collection I provided guidelines and ask for volunteers to be apart of the process to help build the cohesive collaboration. Well there were a lot of upset teachers when over 300 books were taken from the shelf, books that had not been taken out in years or outdated information that I needed to maintain a positive relationship I offered them to bring these books into their own classroom libraries if they felt strongly about keeping certain books.

Retrieved from Google
What Truly defines a Learning Commons? Is it a physical place in a school, the school community members, or the opportunities that are available or the name itself? I feel this question is really up to interpretation from individuals. For myself I feel the name of a school library changing into a learning commons is a rebranding or marketing to get community members on board to a change from an deep-rooted perception and comfortability.

How can a Teacher Librarian help build literacy in all students? I am reminded that, “learning is ever-changing and demands new ways of educating” (2014, pg.4). We need to be more adaptable; we ask the same of our students so how can we expect as teachers we should not change our learning or teaching styles. When I look back at my essential question one way teacher-librarians can build literacy is through “teacher-librarians [they] can ensure that the school is purchasing resources that meet the needs of students without creating redundancies” (Hayes, 2014).


Resources
Canadian Library Association. (2014). Leading learning: Standards of practice for school library learning commons in Canada. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.Ottawa:ON (p.4-25)


Hayes, T. (2014,) Library to learning commons. Retrieved from http://www.cea-ace.ca/education-canada/article/library-learning-commons





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