CBE Libraries: A Transformation to Learning

Commons

Erin HansenSpecialist, Research & Learning Commons

Learning Innovationephansen@cbe.ab.ca

– Part of the larger CBE Learning Resources Strategy Project link

“The purpose of this project is to assist CBE schools in their transition to Learning Commons in order to assist teachers and students in their goal to create personalized learning experiences in collaborative learning environments… This project will also lead the exploration into the definition of what Learning Commons look like in the broader educational k-12 setting, and what they could look like within the CBE.”

~ LRS Project Charter

• For more information about the CBE Learning Commons conversation, see the Learning Innovation RLC website link

• Voluntary participation at the initiation of the schoolBest Practice:

• Need Administrative support• Need a Learning Commons team comprised of:

-Learning Commons Lead Teacher/Teacher-Librarian

-Subject and technology specialists

-Library support staff

• Whole school/staff conversation and participation• No “cookie cutter” how-to solution – each site is unique with many entry points into the process• Money should not be a limiting factor

CBE vision for Learning Commons• The emphasis in a Learning Commons is on

collaboration and sharing. The Learning Commons is a physical place, but it extends out to the whole school, and far into the digital realm. After the “place” – both physical and digital – is established, the Learning Commons becomes more a “way of being and learning” with an emphasis on collaboration, co-creation, and sharing. Technology and print are intermixed and both are valued.

CBE vision for Learning Commons• In a Learning Commons, there is emphasis on

Information Literacy and Digital Citizenship skills. • Students no longer have trouble accessing

information – the shift is now to being skilled at encountering information, knowing how to be a discerning user, and becoming skilled at making meaning from what is encountered.

• Synthesis of the learning is then translated into creation of new meaning in a collaborative way.

• Students then work to share their information in various ways using various technologies and strategies – all accessible from the learning commons.

Making the Vision a Reality…

An Example of Teaching and Learning within a CBE Learning Commons

Hawkwood School(K-6)

Global CitizenshipGlobal Citizenship

Grade 3Grade 3Hawkwood SchoolHawkwood School

Calgary Board of EducationCalgary Board of Education

AB Education Program of Studies• Students will: 3.2.1

– appreciate elements of global citizenship: • recognize how their actions might affect people elsewhere in

the world and how the actions of others might affect them • respect the equality of all human beings

• Students will: 3.2.2 – explore the concept of global citizenship by reflecting upon the

following questions for inquiry: • In what ways can individuals and groups contribute to positive

change in the world? • How do international organizations support communities in

need throughout the world (e.g., UNICEF, Red Cross, Development and Peace)?

• What are examples of international organizations formed by individuals (e.g., Free the Children, Médecins sans frontières (Doctors Without Borders))?

• What are examples of international organizations formed by nations (e.g., UN)?

It all started with a STORY

• One Hen by Katie Smith Milway

Our Big Question

• In what ways can individuals and groups contribute to positive change in the world?

KWL

What we THINK we KNOW (sampling)-Ukraine needs better medical care-Africa needs cleaner water-helping people up if they fall down-planting more trees-Kenya does not have very good supplies for schools-Peru has some poor communities-Terry Fox made a difference in the world by raising money for cancer-Washington made a difference as a president-India has some poor people -Peru needs school supplies-going around the community to ask for money for the Children’s Hospital-Jacket Racket and Toy and Food Drive-Gingerbead Raffle for Gytoro-countries with floods need help with new homes, clothing and food-Red Cross helps people

KWLWhat we wonder (sampling)

-is it possible to give money to Children's’ Hospitals around the world? -How do you donate money? Who do we contact?-Learn more about how we spread our help out and cooperate

together-help India not be crowded-learn more about endangered species so we help them-why are some countries really poor?-we need to learn more about what we are going to do to help and

what kinds of help that people need-want to help countries that have wars so wars stop-why do people in Tunis have to walk a mile to get water?-where are the people who need help?-why does New Dehli have overcrowded schools?-why does Peru not have many schools?-how do we deal with floods?-some do not have enough food. How do we help?

We focused on these questions

• What caused the individual/group to take action?• How did they get their message out to others?• What resources did they need to take action?• How did they take action?• What were the results?

Finding answers

Our Resources• Websites -

http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b273/student/kidsmakeadifference.htm

• Books from our school library

Planning our Presentation (Websites)

KWL• What we learned (a sampling)

-WWF helps endangered wildlife from being extinct-The Red Cross started because of wars-Greenpeace cleans lakes and plants trees-The Ladybug Foundation helps homeless people get homes and find

jobs-Free the Children fights against child labour-Lots of groups help around the world to make the world a better place-Henry Dunant started The Red Cross because people were getting hurt.-There are organizations that help people without clean water and good

sanitation-Animals are endangered because of humans-It is easy to get sick in some countries because they are dirty and they

don’t have clean water.-There are a lot of homeless people in Winnipeg that need help-There are many ways to help others

Our Big Think

Our Wonderful Websites!

• http://projects.cbe.ab.ca/Hawkwood/globalcitizenship/index.html

We Shared Our Websites With:

• Our classmates• Our teachers• Our parents• E.M. Baker School in Great Neck,NY• The world!

CBE Learning Commons – Example of a Transition Process

James Fowler High School Before:

Before:

Before:

DURING (not after, as the process is not complete)

DURING:

DURING:• Flexible use of space for multi-purpose

DURING:

DURING:

CBE Learning Commons Example

Belfast School (K-6) video

CBE Learning Commons – Example of a Transition Process

Elementary (K-6)video