Learning Commons Machines Second Melody Burton & Cory Laverty People First

Learning Commons What services and facilities do you expect to see in an Information or Learning Commons?

Dalhousie Learning Commons

Dalhousie Services Reference and research Desktop support Geographic information services Statistical computing Math and stats satellite office Writing workshop (no info) Group study rooms Dalhousie Mission.. combines information resources with advanced technology and brings together expertise and resources necessary to help students, faculty and staff successfully integrate information with technology in their academic careers.

Calgary Information Commons

Calgary Mission … core facility for provision of information resources and information technology … services and technology to support the effective identification, acquisition and use of information resources … development of information literacy skills in the University Community, especially undergraduate students, is a key mission of the Information Hub. Competency in the identification and evaluation of information, the extraction and manipulation of data, analysis, and presentation, are core research skills.

Calgary Services Instruction on productivity (MS Office – ITS) Bibliographic software (Library) Health Science Library instruction (accessing electronic journals, using Reference Manager) Information Commons instruction: library tours basic research skills using the Internet for research using article indexes search techniques: advanced tips and tricks Course-integrated instruction

Reference librarians involved in planning for a Learning Commons in a large Humanities/Social Sciences Library. Our goals: Support for information literacy development. Transform reactive reference desk to a proactive learning environment. Create strategic relationships with complementary campus groups (Teaching Assistants, Writing Centre, Learning Strategies, Special Needs, ITS). Experience in One Library

Not a sea of computers. “If this is about computers, don’t do it!” View library as service-intensive facility. Want help and ongoing support. Faculty want traditional library environment retained. Focus on people and learning … not computers. Focus Group Feedback

Components of Learning Commons Collaborative spaces E-classroom Partnerships with Support Groups Liaison with Faculty and TAs Reference and Instruction Services Virtual Commons Workstations – Wireless -- Laptop lending

Partnerships Writing Centre Learning Strategies Group Special Needs Instruction Services Liaison with Faculty and TAs Reference Services Peer Mentors ITS Information Literacy Components of Learning Commons

Research Continuum Research Process Assignment Interpretation Resource Selection Tool Choreography Information Collection Information Management Analysis Evaluation Writing Faculty, TAs Librarians Faculty Writing Centre Learning Partners

Information Literacy Development Curriculum Design Assignment Mapping IL Objectives Scaffolding Resource Selection Tool Choreography Tracking Information Collection Information Management Synthesis and Reflection Evaluation Writing Research Process Faculty TAs Learning Strategies Librarians Peer Mentors Faculty TAs Writing Centre Learning Partners

Sociology ,000 students. Research essay requiring 3 scholarly articles including Canadian content and government documents. Present Scenario Workbooks In- class presentations Evaluated research strategy TA sessions Handouts and website Small group presentations Reserve articles Learning session for librarians Strategies

Learning Commons Scenario Curriculum Design Advance consultation with faculty on assignments. Map resources to assignments across program. Scaffolding Learning Strategies addresses time management and process. Reference Desk support; peer support groups within the class. TAs / librarians: hands-on sessions (tools, RefWorks, plagiarism) Tracking Students keep research diary. Targeted online tutorials. Synthesis and Reflection Writing Centre addresses thesis, argument, citation style.

Staffing Model Serving humanities and social sciences (7,000-10,000). 5.5 core librarians, one ITS student, one reference assistant. Draw librarians from other units for desk shifts. Includes Head of Reference/LC Coordinator. Peer mentors to cover longer hours for basic questions and trouble shooting. One library technician to oversee computers and technology.

Governance Discussion of LC coordinator as coming from partner groups with no reference responsibility Learning Commons replaces reference department No person in charge of programming for information literacy and ensuring service quality and integration Longer hours required with existing staff led to student peer program Debate over technology run by library vs. ITS

Learning Commons What elements would you want to take priority in your Learning Commons?