Updating the Learning Experience in the Learning Commons Susan Beatty, University of Calgary Netspeed 2013, October 24, 2013

“Our response to the social nature of learning needs to acknowledge its complexity… it is about recognizing that we construct our frameworks of understanding within a powerful conversational framework that includes using interaction with resources, listening, participating, contributing and reflecting.” Watson, 63

 Learning Elements for the 21 st century  Taylor Family Digital Library  Space, Service, Technology  How are we doing  Next steps

 21 st century student environment  Formal and informal learning  Student behaviours  Learning theory – social constructivist

 Traditional view  Digital forces  Information Commons to Learning Commons

Taylor Family Digital Library

 Library transformation through convergence and integration  Library as a place for integrated learning experience – face to face, digital resources, and media base to create new knowledge  Faculty, students, experts, resources and learning support working together

 Design: Open, opportunity to engage  Space: Space for study, creation and learning  Technology: wired, wireless, ubiquitous  Furniture: flexible, accessible  Service model: integrated service desk and specialized services  Service: Trend to student assistants, peer roamers, with Service “expert” in the background

 Integrated service desk  IM chat service  Specialized service areas throughout  Student Success Centre  Hours to the maximum with 24/5 access.

 Open study areas, with computer workstations or outlets  Classrooms mix and match  Bookable Workrooms  Café  Specialized service areas  Reduced space for books

Furniture to meet needs; study, eat, relax Wired seating of various types

To support learner engagement and knowledge creation

 Wireless for mobile access  Wired access for spaces on 4 floors ◦ Open spaces, classrooms, workrooms  PC’s and Macs  General load, with specialized software

Working together, studying along

Technology for working alone or in groups

 Initiative: Netbook lending  Initiative: video camera lending

 TeamSpot in collaborative workrooms    ClassSpot in classroom   Gaming consoles 

Classrooms with varied configurations

 Touch tables, interactive digital display  Av edit suites enable creation with special software  Dj table and mixer  Second initiative : WACOM graphic design/drawing tablets  Portable keyboard, plugs into edit suites

New technology for digital creation: Visualization Studio, Digital Media Commons and Gaming Lab

Digital Media Commons: Gaming lab

 Twitter, Facebook, interactive displays  Digital signage  Desk signage  Friendly faces : our student assistants: Navigators, peer roamers, Digital media mentors, desk assistants  Integrated and seamless service is a goal to be achieved

Peer Roamer Twitter conversation

 Formal vs informal learning: ◦ instructor led to student led and back again  Faculty perceptions: ◦ space for students but not for me, challenge :awareness of the learning support available (technology, expertise, possibilities of new learning outcomes and proof of learning)  Student perceptions: ◦ study along, together, productivity, workrooms (similar lack of awareness) Is this a study hall?

 TeamSpot and ClassSpot - good ideas, needs a hook  Digital Media Commons and Gaming lab – perception move from frivolous arcade to useful and motivational learning environment  Spaces, technology and services will be used in ways not imagined  Promotion of integration into learning support is a continuous process

◦ What could be different proofs of learning for our students using the space, technology and services of the TFDL? ◦ What knowledge creation opportunities for students do you see in the TFDL? ◦ How can we build a collaborative environment with experts to enhance students’ learning?

 Learning is messy  Learning is personal  Learning is immediate  Continuous consideration of People, place, product

 Teaching and Learning momentum on campus  LibQual evaluation and priority setting  Cross functional team development for the library to bring out the integrated learning opportunities  Faculty engagement in third place learning activities – need more investigation  Student and faculty engagement in the new learning place– still the main goal

 Watson, Les (2010). “The Future of the library as a place of learning; a personal perspective.” New Review of Academic Librarianship, 16:1,

Thanks to Renee Reaume and Dylan Tetrault