Peggy Thomas President, OLA Ruth Hall President, OSLA Session 1708 Feb 27, 2010

1. Peggy Thomas President, OLA Ruth Hall President, OSLA Session 1708 Feb 27, 2010 Peggy & Ruth - Welcome and introductionsPeggy & Ruth - Welcome and introductions

2. A Brief History January 2007 � meeting with Ministry of Education April 2007 � money from Ministry of Education to OSLA for the writing of a school library document January 2008 � Draft document Together for Learning presented at Super Conference for comment and feedback Spring 2008 � continued consultations with stakeholders peggypeggy

3. What we heard: Need more in-depth explanation and concrete ideas to bring the Learning Commons to life Need to be more inclusive Keep the strong literacy focus Provide implementation ideas PeggyPeggy

4. The Result A Document constructed as: Vision and Ideas to Consider when implementing this vision in the school library Two copies to every school Web presence to allow the document to grow and to reflect our learning Peggy - The Result is a documents which clearly states �the vision� in each section, followed by suggestions for implementation identified as �Ideas to consider�. Each school in Ontario will receive 2 copies and a web presence will follow so that the vision and implementation ideas can �live� and continue to grow and evolve.Peggy - The Result is a documents which clearly states �the vision� in each section, followed by suggestions for implementation identified as �Ideas to consider�. Each school in Ontario will receive 2 copies and a web presence will follow so that the vision and implementation ideas can �live� and continue to grow and evolve.

5. Responding to an Era of Complex Change The Learning Commons is: An approach to learning A way to focus on learning collaboratively Flexible, responsive, expansive Virtual and physical spaces Ruth - �The learning commons is a flexible and resopnsive approach to helping schools focus on learning collaboratively. It wxpands the learning experience, taking students and educators into virtual spaces beyond the walls of a school.�Ruth - �The learning commons is a flexible and resopnsive approach to helping schools focus on learning collaboratively. It wxpands the learning experience, taking students and educators into virtual spaces beyond the walls of a school.�

6. The major shift: The Learning Commons is the whole school Everyone is a learner and a stakeholder The School Library has an integral and transformative role to play in the implementation PeggyPeggy

7. Why a Learning Commons? Ruth - The purpose of the learning commons is to build transferable skills in students, fostering their development as: critical consumers of information, effective problem solvers, capable decision makers, and innovative communicators. The purpose of the Learning Commons is to become the physical and virtual catalyst where inquiry, discovery and creativity come alive. Ruth - The purpose of the learning commons is to build transferable skills in students, fostering their development as: critical consumers of information, effective problem solvers, capable decision makers, and innovative communicators. The purpose of the Learning Commons is to become the physical and virtual catalyst where inquiry, discovery and creativity come alive.

8. Not entirely new, and yet... Growing disconnect between the way students learn outside of school and what is permitted inside of school Peggy This focus on developing transferable skills is not really new, in many cases we do have access to both virtual and physical learning resources and yet there is a growing disconnect, as we saw in our opening video clip, from Professor Mike Wesch between the way students learn outside of school and what is permitted inside. This has created a re Good news What if document Disconnect statement on state of education Make experience mirror the realityPeggy This focus on developing transferable skills is not really new, in many cases we do have access to both virtual and physical learning resources and yet there is a growing disconnect, as we saw in our opening video clip, from Professor Mike Wesch between the way students learn outside of school and what is permitted inside. This has created a re Good news What if document Disconnect statement on state of education Make experience mirror the reality

9. Key Components of the Learning Commons Physical and Virtual Space (pg. 9-10) Equitable Access (pg. 10) Learning Partnership (pg. 11) Technology in Learning (pg 12) Peggy & Ruth: - depending on room set up ask people to work with a partner to come up with some Ideas to consider which might work in their environment, or to add to those in the document - 3 or 4 minutes Peggy & Ruth: - depending on room set up ask people to work with a partner to come up with some Ideas to consider which might work in their environment, or to add to those in the document - 3 or 4 minutes

10. SPACE:

11. Equitable Access

12. Learning Partnerships

13. Technology in Learning

14. Learning to Learn: From Information to Knowledge Creation Reading Engagement Multiple Literacies Critical and Creative Thinking Discovery and Guided Inquiry Learning to Learn

15. Reading Engagement

16. Multiple Literacies Defining literacy is a process of continuous negotiation that is fuelled by social, economic and technological changes.

17. Critical and Creative Thinking Good questions are the driving force of critical and creative thinking and therefore one of the best indicators of significant learning.

18. Discovery and Guided Inquiry

19. Learning to Learn

20. Developing the Individual Quality education includes the education of the heart as well as the head; it includes a focus on the whole person� It means preparing students to be concerned citizens who have empathy and respect for people within their increasingly diverse communities. It means providing opportunities for students to understand deeply the importance of civic engagement and what it means to be a global citizen... - Avis Glaze, 2006 Infused everywhere.Infused everywhere.

21. The Role of Personal Qualities & Importance of Individual Growth Imagination and creativity Confidence and self-esteem Cultural awareness and social contribution Importance of individual growth Engagement of all Learners Intellectual Curiosity Respect and Responsibility Initiative

22. Engagement of All Learners Turning hard work into hard fun requires helping students relate their work to their own lives and the culture in which they live. This type of learning, inherent in the Learning Commons, is sticky � it stays with the learner. And it creates an environment where the individual will grow and flourish. ( pg. 33)

23. Transition and Change Take a moment to consider your first steps? And how the LC could be developed at your school

24. Contributors Anita Brooks Kirkland Michael Budd Timothy Gauntley Cathi Gibson-Gates Wayne Hamilton Roberta Henley Carol Koechlin Diana Maliszewski Larry Moore Michelle Regina Esther Rosenfeld Michael Rosettis Hetty Smeathers Peggy Thomas Lisa Weaver PeggyPeggy

25. Advisory Consultants Ray Doiron Ken Haycock David Loertscher Ross J. Todd Debra Wallace David Warlick PeggyPeggy

26. With the financial support of: Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat of the Government of Ontario�s Ministry of Education PeggyPeggy

27. OSLA SPOTLIGHT SPEAKER: Dr. Chris Spence on Dealing with Change �Change of this magnitude is never easy and once you embark on the journey, you soon learn that many people don�t like the discomfort involved. Stern resolve then becomes important because standing still or going backwards are no longer options. [What] is required is that we are open to it {change}and willing to embrace it,� thoughtful about what we preserve and what we reinvent, and that we have the courage to stay the course, despite what critics may say.� Close with some words from our OSLA keynote speaker, Dr. Chris Spence from his book - Leading With Passion and Purpose. �We must embrace change. There is, of course, no magic formula for change. It requires a special kind of determination, a boldness, a willingness to take risks, a willingness to have the courage of one�s convictions, but also to be humble enough to adapt and grow. We can all draw on our experiences with change and what it has taught us about the importance of shared values, goals, and operating through a framework that considers the needs of all stakeholders. The process of change involves many things: looking out at the world and assessing what is worth aspiring for; looking in the mirror and looking at ourselves honestly, seeing the truth and acting on it; and looking forward, towards the future, and forging new paths, sometimes controversial ones that others may not see and understand. Leadership is about mastering the process of constant change, about anticipating, learning and adapting for the future and adjusting strategies and practices. (99) Change of this magnitude is never easy and once you embark on the journey, you soon learn that many people don�t like the discomfort involved. Stern resolve then becomes important because standing still or going backwards are no longer options. While change can be a daunting and difficult process, it can also be a positive catalyst for enabling us to do what is in the best interests of our students, staff and community. All that is required is that we are open to it and willing to embrace it, that we are thoughtful about what we preserve and what we reinvent, and that we have the courage to stay the course, despite what critics may say.� (100) Close with some words from our OSLA keynote speaker, Dr. Chris Spence from his book - Leading With Passion and Purpose. �We must embrace change. There is, of course, no magic formula for change. It requires a special kind of determination, a boldness, a willingness to take risks, a willingness to have the courage of one�s convictions, but also to be humble enough to adapt and grow. We can all draw on our experiences with change and what it has taught us about the importance of shared values, goals, and operating through a framework that considers the needs of all stakeholders. The process of change involves many things: looking out at the world and assessing what is worth aspiring for; looking in the mirror and looking at ourselves honestly, seeing the truth and acting on it; and looking forward, towards the future, and forging new paths, sometimes controversial ones that others may not see and understand. Leadership is about mastering the process of constant change, about anticipating, learning and adapting for the future and adjusting strategies and practices. (99) Change of this magnitude is never easy and once you embark on the journey, you soon learn that many people don�t like the discomfort involved. Stern resolve then becomes important because standing still or going backwards are no longer options. While change can be a daunting and difficult process, it can also be a positive catalyst for enabling us to do what is in the best interests of our students, staff and community. All that is required is that we are open to it and willing to embrace it, that we are thoughtful about what we preserve and what we reinvent, and that we have the courage to stay the course, despite what critics may say.� (100)