MSLA Learning Commons 2010 - Robin Cicchetti

Editor's Notes

• #2 Before and after images, and screen shots of data points
• #3 Cluttered by old technology, power cords and cables draped across surfaces. Technology had been laid on top of everything and not integrated.
• #4 Cluttered by old technology, power cords and cables draped across surfaces. Technology had been laid on top of everything and not integrated.
• #5 Book cases block light and best views Signs all over Reinforcing silent individual study as the only appropriate use The no food signs hadn’t worked. They snuck food in and messes were common. There were so many rules and punishments the library was a place of continual conflict.
• #7 From periodical storage to instructional space
• #8 This is the 3rd floor. Books were moved to carve out a second class area. The nice thing about this area is that we were able to consolidate nonfiction and reference to proved a space the really works well to support student research. It also has a laptop cart with 20 laptops and is right near the media lab.
• #9 Old Teacher’s Professional Lounge - dirty, neglected, obsolete and unprofessional. The new media lab has 8 robust production stations.
• #10 The microfiche was replaced with 8 iMacs
• #11 New light grid was installed featuring energy efficient, state of the art fixtures that fill the space with clean light. Gorgeous.
• #12 Our local Garden Club gave us a grant to revitalize the old planter and provided us with plants and pots for the library. Brought color and energy.
• #13 William Shakespeare and Mark Twain posters have been replaced with original Student art - we hosted the Urban Art Club’s first exhibition.
• #14 Grants for new soft chairs for flexible seating.
• #15 This year we are looking for grants to showcase student art - frames, display spaces for more delicate art. PAUSE and set up EVIDENCE of CHANGE Ross Todd might ask we if we have been able to provide any evidence of change.
• #16 Students are checking out more books than ever. 55% increase! This year seems stronger than last.
• #17 2008 - 2009 average daily # student visits over 600 2007 - 2008 346 class visits 2008 - 2009 470 class visits - 35% INCREASE although this past Wednesday we close to 800 students. Again, this increase is driven by class visits.
• #18 Using Google docs Forms, we are tracking data. By keeping our eye on the standards we can assess the quality of instruction and provide school administration with concrete reasons to continue to support our program. This is powerful data for advocacy.
• #19 The skills are based on the standards. Note the training in specific applications at the bottom. Students are building their Web 2.0 skill sets in almost every class visit.
• #20 Again, we are tracking very specific data points. I am keeping an eagle eye on databases here, and anticipate this to make a big jump as we get further into the year and teachers start assigning research activities. Still, good data like this keeps us focused on our students and the services we need to be providing. Looking at this I can approach department chairs and ask them to touch base with their teachers and get back to me. The Learning Commons is providing departments with solid data on student work.
• #21 This data pool in particular keeps our program laser focused on creating authentic assessment of student progress. It is also a very good indicator of how successful we are in collaborating with teachers. Using the Learning Commons as a professional development center will hopefully continue to help us with this, as indicated by our wiki stats.
• #22 So we have gone from being a warehouse of books and broken furniture to a busy, vibrant place for students and faculty to gather and learn in a wireless, connected, 21st century environment. The cost of this transition to the district is has been minimal. It was done with sweat equity, cookies, and grants. Our district is moving ahead with plans to either substantially renovate our school, or look at new construction. Our district Facilities Planning Committee has already indicated that the Library Learning Commons is a central priority in all new building or renovation planning. The changes in space have energized and brought a lot of attention to our program, and there is a great deal of enthusiasm for the Learning Commons. Thanks to Valerie Diggs, Sandy Kelly and the Massachusetts School Library Association for providing me with the professional development and vision to start the process of creating a true Learning Commons for the students, faculty and community of Concord-Carlisle High School. (78 computers total)