Course Overview

Our Quest:

How can the Library Learning Commons and its professional staff make a major difference in the teaching and learning that goes on today? And how can librarians assume the role of Digital Learning Leader in their organizations?

In this class, we explore the creation of super learning experiences that come into the information-rich and technology-rich environment known as the school or academic library or library learning commons in the K-12 school, an academic setting, and even from a public librarian working with home schoolers or a local school.

• Our journey will take us through the creation of series of Knowledge Building Centers.

This course consists of several main assignments, some of which have more than one part.

• Project One: Build Your Own Theoretical Background. No matter whether you are a novice or an expert, you will design your own deepening of theoretical knowledge in four major topical areas. You will begin with a self-assessment of your background knowledge relevant to the course. You will share this self-assessment as the Reading Plan which is due before the second workshop session. Then you will follow your plan during the first month of the course and will end your journey by preparing a major essay that will be suitable for yout Digital Learning Leader Portfolio site (according to the four major topical areas) about your journey and what you have learned.

• Project Two: Umbrella to Question Start. With a partner, you will have your first experience creating a co-taught learning experience as a teacher librarian with a classroom teacher or academic instructor. that will be a totally online learning experience that is adaptable to face to face or blended learning experiences.

• Project Three: Umbrella to Question Full Learning Experience: With a different partner, you will have the opportunity to create a full scale learning experience using the skills you have learned in Project Two. Again, this will be an online design.

• Project Four: Design Thinking: With a different partner, you will create a learning experience using Design Thinking as a model for an online learning experience.

• Project Five: The Real Learning Experience. You will complete a "real" transformation learning experience with a real classroom teacher for a real school or academic library. if that is not possible, a project can be proposed to the instructor.

• Portfolio: Digital Learning Leader Portfolio. Using your Project one and the various learning experiences you construct, you will create a portfolio you can use with your prospective or real employer to demonstrate what you know and can do.