Reading Review Assignment Part A

This week I’m exploring how I can better increase my understanding of/incorporate digital technologies into my TL practice. With my new role in September as teacher librarian at our secondary school, I anticipate I’ll want to broaden my technological horizons into constructing a virtual/digital school library learning commons (we’re going to call that an SLLC from now on, ‘cause I don’t want to type that again!)

I have seen some really cool examples, and I feel inspired to explore this aspect of a 21^st century library. I'm hoping to uncover a wide variety of digital SLLCs that inspire me and express what I’m looking to create for my own school.

To get me started on the hunt for my ideal online SLLC, I wanted to break my planning into three major aspects:

1. Curriculum:

In relation to a digital SLLC, all courses offered at our school fit under this use of digital technology. I see it as something that is initially built with the intention of drawing student interest, and I want it to become something that furthers learning priorities by being active instead of passive - a continually changing, growing, organic space that is altered as aspects of the curriculum shift and progress.

2. Pedagogy:

I would like to find a way to embed LibGuides, as I feel they truly encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, especially when creating research projects with students. A virtual SLLC can be the gateway into a selection of content for a variety of appetites – database widgets, feeds from our staff’s favourite (and our students’ favorite) information sources, videos, and trendy, yet (educational!) links. The ability to regularly update and add to a digital space allows it to feels fresh, which in turn fosters student engagement and creates a buzz. I would hope to construct a virtual SLLC that is truly about making connections with our learning community, as well as ensuring students, staff, and parents are able to stream information, access useful digital resources, databases, and tools through a variety of mediums.

3. Digital Technology:

A properly thought-out virtual SLLC would contain a clear layout, yet still be fun and colourful – I’m hoping to learn new ways to create a site that would be eye-catching for students. It would be important to have excellent accessibility and site navigation (easy to find what you’re looking for with a minimal number of “clicks”… we all know how incredibly *patient* our students can be🙄)

I’m also very interested in how a virtual SLLC could enhance learning through collaborative publishing – as an English teacher, any opportunity to spark an interest in writing, especially as an enriching creative outlet, is a huge deal to me! I actually often have my students respond to questions and writing prompts in partners or small groups - teamwork makes the dream work!

As a final thought, I think this topic of digital SLLCs has really increased in importance since the pandemic, as it’s become clear that a school library’s website maintains a real bond between physical and virtual learning.

*KEYWORDS*

Digital school library learning commons 

Virtual school library learning commons

Online/digital catalogue

Online/digital databases

LibGuides

Interdisciplinary learning

Collaborative learning

Database widgets

Digital resource gathering

Classroom resources online

Site accessibility

Site navigation

Spaces.edu

Wix.com

Embedding content

 

References

Miller, S., & Bass, W. (2019). Leading from the Library: Help your School Community Thrive in the Digital Age. International Society for Technology in Education.