What Does a Learning Commons Look Like?

I spent quite a bit of time researching what a learning commons looks like on the web. I did notice that many links I clicked on led me to college/university learning commons. They were still useful to get a feel for what a learning commons should look like, but I would like to see more examples in K-12 schools. I guess I just need to search harder. I did find several, but I thought it was mainly colleges.

Based on what I found, I think the learning commons should include:

Room for collaboration - The learning commons is all about collaboration and groups. The facility must be designed to accommodate collaborative learning. Students need room to learn!

Technology - Various forms of technology are essential to the learning commons. Students (and teachers) must have access to computers, as well as video cameras, digital camera, sound equipment, e-readers, and so much more. The learning commons does not have a focus on books like the traditional library. Doug Johnson's video did a good job providing examples of technology in the learning commons.

No sound restrictions - Learning commons will have to get noisy. As a teacher, I struggle with letting my students get noisy in my classroom. I like quiet, but I know that the best learning takes place when it gets noisy because that means there are learning conversations taking place.

Varied seating - Tables, diner-style seating, couches and comfy chairs... all of these may be present in the learning commons. This helps make the facility inviting. Beaufort Elementary shows examples of the different types of seating that can be offered.

Flexibility - The learning commons needs to be flexible and work for everyone - teachers and students, and even community members. Does it offer areas for collaboration along with area for independent work? Does it offer many types of resources that would be appealing to all of the clientele?

Works Cited:

Johnson, Doug "Libraries Past - Libraries Future." YouTube. 25 Mar 2010. Web. 22 June 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K-4ZF0x5ic

Sinclair, Bryan. “Commons 2.0: Library Spaces Designed for Collaborative Learning.” Educause Quarterly. 30.4 (2007). Web. 22 June 2011. http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum/Commons20LibrarySpacesDesigned/162265

“The 21st Century Media Center – The Learning Commons.” Beaufort Elementary School. Web. 22 June 2011. http://bes.beaufortsc.schoolfusion.us/modules/cms/pages.phtml?pageid=190190&sessionid=