one size does not fit all! by jan e. heckman and mary v. heckman university of connecticut, avery...
TRANSCRIPT
one size does NOT fit all!
By Jan E. Heckman and Mary V. Heckman University of Connecticut, Avery PointIAMSLIC 34th Conference: Suva, Fiji, September 14 - 18, 2008
Outline of our discussionThe Avery Point campus of the University of
ConnecticutThe concept of a Learning commons in the
literatureThe Learning Commons at the University of
ConnecticutOrigin of the Learning Commons at Avery PointThe Learning Commons at Avery Point todayThe future of the Learning Commons at Avery
PointLessons we learned
and particularly to the Avery Point Regional campus, located in Groton, CT, USA.
The Avery Point campus of the University of Connecticut
Unique background creates a unique present reality.
Morton Plant Estate
Are these some of our non-traditional students?
No, this is Morton Plant and his wife, Sarah, in front of the Branford House (the mansion which is part of the estate the campus used to be).
Beauty…
Overlooking Long Island Sound
… and the Beast!The Library at
Avery Point(But don’t judge a book by it’s cover!)
Avery Point Academic BuildingLegacy of the United States Coast Guard facilities built after 1941.
Avery Point’s Academic CenterLast semester
Operating at full capacity
This semester The expanded Academic Center
in the library literature
Information Commons versus Learning Commons• an Information Commons supports learning by providing hi-tech access to information•a Learning Commons supports active learning and the presence of other academic units in the library.
• Main Library efforts to create a Learning Commons• Mutual desire between Academic Center and Library with first focus being information literacy• Monthly meetings to share information• Two day workshop in Sept. 2007 on the subject of plagiarism, copyright, and other issues•Learning Commons planning committee born in part from previous collaboration
The Learning Commons at Avery Point is a work in progress considering the unknowns about the renovation of the Library and how much of a Learning Commons we can create.
Still progress is being made with what we have and plans are being created for a facility that the campus and students will be proud of.
Virtual aspectsThe Learning Commons web page
http://www.averypoint.uconn.edu/avery_point/learning_commons.html
The Learning Commons wikihttp://learningcommons.wetpaint.com/
Library bloghttp://averypointlibraryblog.wordpress.com/
HuskyCThttp://lms.uconn.edu
Physical aspectsLibrarian office hoursUse of library space for tutoringUse of library space for faculty/student
meetingsCross-training of student staffsFrequent meetings of professional staffs
DistanceThe Library and the Academic Center are close to one another, but distinct buildings.
This is a view of the Library from the Academic Center.
… AND TOMORROW
Original plan for a new Academic Building and Library at Avery Point
Ambitious, but it would have been nice!
Photograph from Microsoft ClipArt
Current plan in the budget of FY0809 ???
At least for a librarian’s office, it just needs a data port and electricity.
Photo attributed to photographer BRAYDAWG (no date) from source Flickr.com as viewed on 8 September 2008 on everystockphoto.com (http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=355808) held under attribution license (http://www.everystockphoto.com/photo.php?imageId=355808)
The real future
An Information Commons developing into a Learning Commons as physical space is shared in the library.
An electronic classroom used for library instruction and other classes.
Other academic units using the spaceCollaborative work stations for studentsRooms for practicing presentations
Strengths
Weaknesses
Strengths WeaknessesIt’s operational without a
budget, thus it works without costing more than our time.
With our present virtual model, we are forced to work together rather than assume collaboration based on physical proximity.
We are still separate and will be unless or until we are physically integrated. Students still need to span two different spaces to take advantage of all services we provide, and there is no way to provide all services seamlessly.
To make it more than a virtual learning commons we will need funding for both physical plant and program.