Innovation
Traditional Innovation
Slow and purposeful adoption of experiences that combine content knowledge and “learning how to learn” skills.
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Cutting Edge
Embracing change and constantly reinventing the Library Learning Commons serving as the school’s incubator of new ideas. Facilitates and provides physical and virtual spaces and resources where students can learn to flourish in a changing world.
Tips About Innovation in the Library Learning Commons
One of the challenges of a LLC is to be visible across the school rather than invisible. The first step to raising the visibility of the LLC is to survey the staff and students on their awareness of the LLC’s resources and the frequency in which they have used them. One simple test of visibility is to send an outsider into the lunch room to sit at various tables at random and say something like: “Hello! I am a visitor in school today. Can you tell me about the library in your school?” Were the students puzzled with blank stares or enthusiastic about something going on there? Another good question is to ask them if their teachers ever take them to the LLC to work on a project. One would hope that several experiences would be willingly shared. Of course, a simple Google Form asking such questions could be circulated across the school for additional information.
One way of becoming very visible is for the LLC to be known as a place of experimentation and creation, where a center of experimental professional development where ideas are being tested. One positive sign would be a recognition or question about what’s new and what’s happening in the LLC today. Do both students and teachers exhibit curiosity in this regard? If so, the professional staff of the LLC would then know that they are moving toward the cutting edge of their role in the school.
Below are a few indicators for the professional staff of the LLC to gauge the innovation/visibility role on campus and in which direction to move forward.
Administrators and the faculty use the LLC as the testing ground for new programs coming down the pike before pushing the idea out school wide.
Students know that the LLC is a place that they can redesign for special projects that they are doing. For example, they might help create a video room with a green screen for their video projects.
One rule about the physical space of the LLC is: “If it does not move, does it really belong?” In other words, the physical space adapts to the patron, not the other way around.
A team of techsherpas (students) are known around their school as amazing helpers with technology and the genius bar in the LLC.
Many students/teachers visit the front page of the LLC Virtual Learning Commons website to see who around the school is being featured each day.
The LLC is a popular spot for parents to tour during parent’s night to see all kinds of projects that are happening.
Numerous students compete each week in a “making” challenge promoted on the LLC virtual learning commons website.
Outsiders ask to visit the LLC, because they have heard that great things are happening.
Administrators have new stories to tell about what is happening in the LLC to the groups that they happen to be meeting with.
Failure of various experimentation trials are considered just part of the process of learning, trying, and making continuous improvement.
Resources:
Innovation happens in rural communities; not just tech centers: https://www.ted.com/talks/xiaowei_r_wang_the_real_hotbed_of_innovation_hint_it_s_not_big_cities
Big Picture Learning or continuation schools research report. These folks would be much better with a LLC and a credentialed librarian: https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/deeper-learning-networks.
Micro Schools: One wonders if a credentialed teacher librarian as one of the small teaching staff might have a huge impact on what goes on: https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/12/why-and-how-to-open-a-microschool/?utm_source=Smart+Update&utm_campaign=026234bcfe-SMART_UPDATE_2019_12_5&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_17bb008ec3-026234bcfe-321306465
The Canopy Report on School Innovation done by the Christensen Institute: https://www.christenseninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/The_Canopy.pdf
an interview with Austin Klieon on art and creativity: https://www.edsurge.com/news/2019-07-01-the-art-of-learning-in-and-in-spite-of-school-a-conversation-with-austin-kleon?utm_source=EdSurgeEdsChoice&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=07-02-2018&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWm1ReE5qSmlaR0ZsWldWaSIsInQiOiJ5TmR6SmRWVlFGMG01TlIyc2FpMkFaTktmYXU5WTFTYmtBTWtzK1wvYkJlXC9cL1ArMEE1dFN4Skt0T25ka0h0YytjajEwOTZBZEp3T1wvVGZQQWY1RkQ4eXdRSHpGSFc2OG9vZ3I5XC84anp6WVhSQjZnUFwvN0MwbUN0U2hoS2o0SGh1TSJ9
TED Talk about innovation and learning: https://youtu.be/VsjTVGIw4z8
Sir Ken Robinson on creativity and innovation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zABwof_oYrw
Couch, John D. Rewiring Education: How Technology Can Unlock Every Student’s Potential. BenBella Books, 2018.
Gill Gates meets students who are in command of their own learning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv8gsUFop_s
Mark Ray on changing school libraries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IniFUB7worY
Design thinking and innovation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBxZC9I6xyk
Martinez, S. L., & Stager, G. (2013). Invent to learn: Making, tinkering, and engineering in the classroom. Torrance, CA: Constructing Modern Knowledge Press.
IDEO website designed to encourage educators using design thinking and innovation in the classroom https://www.teachersguild.org/
Information on school run programs that inspire and promote an invention mindset in students http://lemelson.mit.edu/
MOOC: Maker Spaces: An Introduction. at: http://makerspace.quickmooc.com/