LIBE 477 - Creating a Learning Commons Website

(image source: pixabay.com)

This idea of creating a virtual learning commons or a website has been on my mind and in my plans for some time. It is now starting to look like a reality, and I am equal parts excited and nervous/overwhelmed. 

I spent the first few weeks of the course researching what different schools have for websites, what I liked, and what the guidelines and research suggested. That was fun and interesting research, but, it was also very detached, in a 'someday' dreamy sort of way. With the timeline for the project approaching, I knew I needed to do a bit more. So I spoke to my principal, and she suggested I speak to the tech team and the communications team. She said that we could check in with feasibility and go from there. 

With the meeting on the horizon, I gathered my notes and got ready to make a pitch. I wanted a Learning Commons website. It would benefit the school and begin to create an online community. I want something that is current, relevant, and useful. Ideally, it features student voices and can be used as a hub for resources. It is a place to build an online community of readers, to promote and celebrate literacy. I had research to back my initial thoughts. I was ready. The meeting was over an hour long and had the school's Director or Communication, Director of Technology, Head of Marketing, and ...me. I was ready. However, I thought I was pitching, 'here is why we need a Learning Commons website' and that point was never really addressed. It was assumed there could be one, the meeting focused on how we build it and move forward. What followed was a series of questions that I didn't necessarily have the answers to: Who would run it? What guidelines would I be following? How often would it be updated? Do I have the tech skills? Do I have the time? Who it is for? Who can access it? Where should it be hosted? How do I want it to grow? Where do I want this website to take my career? Could I use this website to advocate for a larger than 0.5 position? Lots to mull over. 

Since then, I have been given access to the school's main website, a page has been created, but is not visible. A URL has been (temporarily) decided upon. And now that I am here... I am totally blank. All of the creative juice and endless ideas have evaporated. The blank page just sits looking back at me. 

(image source: google sites) 

Where to start? How do I build something from nothing? It seems so cliche that I have put all of the time and energy into making this happen, and now that it is here, I am not sure that to do. I feel paralyzed with possibilities and pressure. 

So for now, I am going back to my initial research. What is the need? What do I envision? How can I make it happen with the tools and learning that I have? 

Starting with Leading Learning is a natural starting point. Choosing a few items from this checklist and starting here seems managable. 

(image source: Leading Learning) 

The whole big dream does not have to be finished by December 3, or even, this year. This is an ongoing project that can grow, evolve, and change. It might be something that allows me to have a greater audience and reach, especially in the transitions at home and in-person learning. Remembering that my initial points of inspiration came from Library Girl and there are wonderful resources to help me. I just need to get started. 

(image source: pixabay.com)

Works Cited

Brooks Kirkland, A. Build Your Own Virtual Library Learning Commons. By the Brooks: Anita Brooks Kirkland. https://www.bythebrooks.ca/build-your-own-vllc/. 

Canadian Libraries Association. Leading learning: Standards of practice for school library learning commons in Canada. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Libraries Association. 

LaGarde, J. (2020, May 20). BFTP: Creating GREAT Library Websites for TODAY's Learners! Librarygirl. https://www.librarygirl.net/post/bftp-creating-great-library-websites-for-today-s-learners

Pixabay. (2020, October 17). https://pixabay.com/