Library Possibilities

 

The library space at my elementary school is small, but full of potential. It is just 16mx10m, less a 4mx4m office space. My students and I measured it out with metre sticks and measuring wheels. Half of the space is taken up by the book stacks and the other is split between library administration and flexible seating and work space. The door at the top of the map opens into an outdoor classroom space, with picnic table seating.

Here are some of the possibilities I see in the space.

Computers: Our school computer lab was removed several years ago to make room for more classroom space. We lost a flexible place for students to research, finish up work, extend their learning and pursue passion projects. It was valuable to learners who needed quiet space and technological adaptations thrive. Pierce talked about "enabling learning anywhere," and computers would help with that. They would also be a valuable resource when teaching robotics, coding, 3D printing, research, discovery and a million other things. Ideally they would be networked to a printer, and perhaps a 3D printer and wide format printer.

Maker Space Tool Benches: I would love to develop a set of Maker Benches to work on design challenges and projects to help develop growth mindsets and design thinking in the students. I want to continue to build a culture of Making in the school.  I envision a set of benches on wheels that would be stored under the counter space at the top right of the map. These could be wheeled to the outdoor classroom, or teachers' rooms to use at different times of the year.  When I look through the cupboards in my class, I see the makings of these. I have a simple machines tub, woodworking, sewing, cardboard assisted design, microbits and printmaking.

Media Centre: If I was able to limit the space needed for administration, I would like to turn part of the work room into a media centre. A green wall on the lower wall on the map would make a flexible space for a student TV station. Filming and sound equipment could be put away so the room is still a working office when not being used for filming.

Outdoor Classroom: As I mentioned above, the outdoor classroom area is underused. If I could secure funding, I would love to install a sunshade, or rain protection.  In summer the kids find the glare and heat too much and in winter there is often rain. But this is Victoria, so with a little effort, I think the space would be usable most of the year.

Questions: I think is is important to have quiet areas where kids can work and feel safe. More and more of our kids have anxiety and sensory considerations. I wonder how I could create spaces for small group, or EA and students to work that is calm and somewhat separated from the rest of the library.

References:

Burns, M. (2018). Tasks before apps: Designing rigorous learning in a tech-rich classroom.

Innovative learning Center. Taking Making Taking making into the Classroom.   2021 https://mytrainingbc.ca/maker/en/toolkit/Taking_Making_into_Classrooms.pdf

Koehler, M. J., & Mishra, P. (2009). What is technological pedagogical content knowledge? Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 9(1). https://citejournal.org/volume-9/issue-1-09/general/what-is-technological-pedagogicalcontent-knowledge

Pierce, D., (2015). Three Ways Mobile Technology is Transforming Learning Spaces, The Journal. Retrieved from: https://thejournal.com/articles/2015/08/25/3-ways-mobile-technology-is-transforming-learning-spaces.aspx

YALSA Makerspace Resources Task Force. “Making in the Library Toolkit.” Young Adult Library Services Association. January 2015. Young Adult Library Services Association, Web. Accessed Oct. 2021 https://www.ala.org/yalsa/sites/ala.org.yalsa/files/content/MakingintheLibraryToolkit2014.pdf

PowerSchool Retrieved from:

https://www.powerschool.com/resources/blog/samr-model-a-practical-guide-for-k-12-classroom-technology-integration/