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?

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 learning commons.

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 by the third workshop session. Then you will follow your plan during the first month of the course and will end your journey by writing four thoughtful essays (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.
• 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.
• Project Four: Design Thinking: With a different partner, you will create a learning experience using Design Thinking as a model.
• Project Five: The Real Learning Experience. You will complete a "real" transformation learning experience with a real classroom teacher for a real school.
• All semester, you will work on your own Personal Learning Environment. We will begin to explore how to teach students and other adults how to create their own PLE, and why it is beneficial to do so.
• The creation of a Virtual Learning Commons for a school or academic library where teaching and learning are the center focus.