7 Things You Should Know About The Modern Learning Commons

CO = Collaboration

Friel, Holly

Educause Learning Iniative. (2011). 7 Things You Should Know About The Modern Learning Commons. Educause. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-modern-learning-commons

Summary:

A Learning Commons “evolved from a combination library and computer lab into a full-service learning, research, and project space.” The Learning Commons model transforms a traditional school library from a place where students and staff come to seek out information, typically working individually, into a space where in addition to that type of research, informal and formal collaboration can occur.  The nature of collaboration that a Learning Commons encourages goes beyond traditional student-to-student or staff-to-staff collaboration: “Its strength lies in the relationships it supports, whether these are student-to-student, student-to-faculty, student-to-staff, student-to-equipment, or student-to-information.” In addition to being a space where students can meet, study, and borrow materials, the Learning Commons serve as “libraries, labs, lounges, and seminar areas in a single community gathering place.”   

Review:

This short article provides a good foundation for understanding what a Learning Commons is, as well as some of the possibilities and challenges in creating and maintaining one