English
French-language content for this topic on Alberta.ca is currently being developed. Information will remain available on the Alberta Education website until this is complete.
Français
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Benefits of learning commons
As schools change, school libraries must also evolve from simply providing information to students to engaging students and helping prepare them to become critical thinkers, evaluators, users, and creators of information and knowledge.
In addition to providing access to traditional forms of knowledge like books, periodicals and print information, students have access to other forms of media and devices they will need to create and share. Students can determine how best to use the space and resources to study or to work on school assignments, projects or coursework individually or with others.
Students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the community can also use the space for instruction, social or collaborative learning, production and presentation.
Benefits
Benefits of learning commons include:
- Learning commons promote global and cultural understanding as students collaborate with their local and broader community to investigate and create solutions to complex problems.
- Learning commons emphasize active and collaborative engagement and encourage the co-creation of knowledge by all learners.
- The virtual aspect of a learning commons (a VLC) promotes more efficient use of technology for creation and sharing of knowledge as well as enabling 24/7 access to resources and shared collaborative space for all students.
- Research shows improved student achievement and literacy development for students who have access to quality school library services, which include learning commons.
Support Documents
- Learning Commons Policy and Guidelines (DOCX, 35 KB)
Resources
Alberta School District Initiatives
- Calgary Board of Education. Library to Learning Commons: Implementation Guide
- Chinook's Edge, Implementing Library Transformation: Creating a Learning Commons
- Rocky View Schools, Transformation to Learning Commons: Planning Framework
Documents – National
- Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons 2017
- Together for Learning: School Libraries and the Emergence of the Learning Commons