By David V. Loertscher & Carol Koechlin
Coteaching and the Learning Commons: Building a Participatory School Culture
(First published in TM Ohio 2015 Papers)
Abstract
The learning commons serves a unique purpose in the school as bridge between educational philosophy and practice, curriculum goals and demands and the real world. As such it is a natural environment to nurture coteaching. The mantra of the learning commons is to drive excellence in teaching and learning through high level instructional design, as well as sparking experimentation, innovation, creativity, discovery and play. The physical and virtual learning commons spaces are deliberately designed for flexibility always responsive to the needs of users. Here rich digital and print resources and technologies support all learners and all curriculum needs. No other space in the school can provide the same wealth of opportunities for differentiation. The teacher librarian has expertise in processes and skills needed for students to navigate successfully in our networked world and become active participants in their learning communities. In combination the ingredients and collaborative chemistry of the learning commons fuel successful coteaching experiences for both adults and students.
TMC4_2016_Loertscher_Koechlin.pdf
David V. Loertscher has degrees from the University of Utah, the University of Washington and a Ph.D. from Indiana University. He has been a school library media specialist in Nevada and Idaho at both the elementary and secondary school levels. He has taught at Purdue University, The University of Arkansas, The University of Oklahoma, and is presently a professor at the School of Library and Information Science at San José State University. He served as head of the editorial department at Libraries Unlimited for ten years and is President of Hi Willow Research & Publishing (distributed by LMC Source at www.lmcsource.com). He has been a president of the American Association of School Librarians. David is in demand internationally as a motivational presenter of school library learning commons driving excellence in learning.
Professor, San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science
312 South 1000 East
Salt Lake City UT 84102
Twitter: @davidloertscher
Website: www.schoollearningcommons.info
Carol Koechlin is an experienced educator who continues to contribute to the field of information literacy and school librarianship writing books, articles for professional journals, facilitating on-line courses, and presenting workshops in Canada and the United States. Many workshops focus on helping schools address the needs of learners today by teaching questioning skills and designing ‘high think’ assignments and projects that ignite student interest and utilize collaborative learning environments.
Working with Dr. David Loertscher, the team has developed foundations for the transformation of school libraries and computer labs into a Learning Commons. Their current work takes them into developing strategies for building the Virtual Learning Commons.
Education Consultant
Toronto, Canada
Twitter: @infosmarts
Website: www.schoollearningcommons.info
ScoopIt: School Library Learning Commons