School vs. Learning
For these "short" blog posts this week for the #IMMOOC I will focus on aspects of the info graphic above of School vs. Learning by @gcouros.
School = often isolates
Learning = often social
In my current position I teach in the library, where historically people think you must be quiet. Why is this the case? I am not entirely sure. But this seems to be the norm (as my kids and I are often shushed in our local public library). I am happy to say that after about 5 years in this setting, we have changed the mindset in our school that the 21st century library is very different and that when there is noise it usually means that learning is actually occurring!
This noise is not just noise. There are heated discussions amongst kids and teachers about books. There are kids tinkering in the makerspace. Teachers are working with small groups in a variety of spaces. The TV monitor is showing videos on specific authors or illustrators. Music is being played in the background. Furniture is being moved around. Games are being played. All of this "noise" indicates some kind of learning and sharing happening.
In all my years as a classroom teacher, my classroom was very rarely silent. The same now goes for the library (unless it is empty - and this is very rare). How can students be learning from each other in complete silence? How can sharing be occurring? And in that respect, how can there be any growth? Silence can occur when you are actually isolated, alone at home, where you are reflecting and processing information you have absorbed during your time with other students and teachers.
Schools ARE social places by nature. So let's not squelch this in our classrooms or libraries - embrace the noise and use it!
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| Embrace the noise! |
I love the rethinking of the library...question for you. Does the name "library" need to change or what we perceive when we hear the word?
ReplyDeleteThank you for all that you do for kids! I love that you are creating spaces where kids want to be!
So we have toyed with the idea of not calling it the "library". Maybe this would help change the culture of how you feel when you walk in no matter what. But I also would argue that it doesn't matter WHAT you call it, it's what you DO with it that matters! Hey, that might be my next blog post...
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