Search DU CTLAT Blog

Monday, August 22, 2011

7 Things You Should Know About the Modern Learning Commons


The folks at Educause have published another of their helpful emerging technologies briefs entitled 7 Things You Should Know About the Modern Learning Commons.



“The learning commons, sometimes called an “information commons,” has evolved from a combination library and computer lab into a full-service learning, research, and project space. As a place where students can meet, talk, study, and use “borrowed” equipment, the learning commons brings together the functions of libraries, labs, lounges, and seminar areas in a single community gathering place. The cost of a learning commons can be an obstacle, but for institutions that invest in a sophisticated learning commons, the new and expanded partnerships across disciplines facilitate and promote greater levels of collaboration. The commons invites students to devise their own approaches to their work and to transfer what they learn in one course to the work they do for another.”


As usual the resource answers the following questions:
1. What is it?
2. How does it work?
3. Who’s doing it?
4. Why is it significant?
5. What are the downsides?
6. Where is it going?
7. What are the implications for teaching and learning?



Share/Bookmark

No comments:

Post a Comment