By Melanie Mulcaster, with Mishelle Pitter-Adlam, Amanda Williams & Tina Zita
12daysbooksnbytes – Fostering Professional Participatory Learning Cultures with Literacy and Code
Abstract
The authors discuss how they applied four aspects of participatory learning in the library learning commons through organizing a program they called 12 Days of Code. They set about deliberately addressing active participatory learning by combining literacy and STEM goals. This dynamic team share the process and program as well as reflections, new questions stemming from their observations, and plans for next steps.
Melanie Mulcaster is the Coordinator for School Library Learning Commons and the Professional Library with the Peel District School Board in Ontario, and member of the Ontario School Library Association Council. A life long learner and maker, she is passionate about inspiring and empowering modern learners to discover, connect, innovate and explore. @the_mulc
Mishelle Pitter-Adlam is a teacher librarian at Clark Boulevard Public School. Her passion is to nurture a healthy self-identity in her capable Modern Learners. She thrives in creating access and opportunities to empower Modern Learners for STEAM trajectories. Her twitter handle is @MishellePA_LLC
Amanda Williams is an elementary glitterarian (read: teacher-librarian) in Halton, who works with students in Kindergarten to grade 8. She has presented provincially and internationally on the arts in education, including a focus on inquiry and dance at Daci (Dance and the Child International) in Denmark. Amanda’s current focus is innovative learning models including maker education and design thinking. She continues to develop her understanding of constructionism by connecting with other inspiring educators and being a “guide on the ride” with her students. Amanda believes that everything is better with a little sparkle.
Tina Zita. Whether working with children or adult learners, Tina is passionate about engaging learners with current digital tools and seeing that spark from a meaningful learning moment. Tina is an avid user of social media, finding each platform can lead to new connections with educators both near and far. She pushes her own learning as she explores design and photography. Her newest experiment is sharing quick ideas to create on Instagram.