Standard: Designing Learning Environments to Support Participatory Learning
Theme: Designing for a Collaborative Physical LLC
Growth Phase: Evolving
Growth Indicator: Physical LLC spaces are flexible to facilitate spontaneous groupings.
This paper documents the transformation journey of an elementary school library in Ottawa Catholic School Board. With a focus on developing participatory learning, a library technician planned and implemented changes to create collaborative physical environments as well as major changes to establish a more open commons where students and teachers could utilize facilities and resources as needed when they needed them. The author also discusses how a flexible schedule and self-checkout helped free up time to pursue building participatory maker activities.
Baker, P. (2020). The Benefits of a Participatory Learning Environment in the School Learning Commons. Paper presented at the Treasure Mountain Canada 6 Symposium, Toronto, Canada. Retrieved from https://researcharchive.canadianschoollibraries.ca/2020/08/10/the-benefits-of-a-participatory-learning-environment-in-the-school-learning-commons/
An Ontario elementary school’s “library to learning commons” year-long journey details are shared – goals, costs and funding (including school council support), design diagrams, and next steps.
Connaught School. (2023). Learning Commons Project. Retrieved from https://connaughtps.ocdsb.ca/school_council_/learning_commons_projecthttps://connaughtps.ocdsb.ca/school_council_/learning_commons_project