I rely on my broad professional learning network (PLN) to fuel my thinking, and would like to think that I’m pretty good at sharing through online networks and at conferences, etc.. However, it occurred to me that there are plenty of things that I come across or that I’m thinking about that aren’t quite ready for me to write a full article or post about, but that deserve more than the 140 characters I might devote to them on Twitter!
That’s my reasoning for this first post in what I hope will become a regular feature of this blog. In this From My PLN feature, I hope to connect people to new ideas and articles and provide a brief annotation about each resource.
So here I go with the first installment!
From My PLN: April 22, 2015
QSLiN Leads Learning about New Canadian Standards for School Library Learning Commons: The Quebec School Librarians Network (QSLiN) is a network of librarians, technicians, educators and consultants for English schools in Quebec.
QSLiN has created an innovative digital badging system to support professional development for all school library personnel as they explore how Leading Learning can guide their growth as they grow from library to library learning commons. Kudos to QSLiN for translating the Leading Learning framework into action!
QSLiN: CLA Library Learning Commons Digital Badges
Collaborative Leadership: A Learning Commons Model: Carol Koechlin and I wrote this article for last summer’s edition of The Trillium, the Ontario ASCD newsletter. The article suggests that the learning commons model can create a school climate for collaborative learning leadership. We were pleased to see that the newsletter is now available online, and would be pleased for you to have a look!
Launching the Year of the Learning Commons: Dr. David Loertscher was in Maine, USA last week, where he’s been very involved in one school’s transformation from library to learning commons. He took the opportunity to announce the launch of the Year of the Learning Commons. Stay tuned to this blog for more information in the coming weeks. In the meantime, read what Maine’s Scarborough Leader had to say about his visit: Time is Now to Reinvent School Libraries
Doug – Off the Record: I thought I’d take this opportunity to send a shout-out to Doug Peterson, Ontario educator extraordinaire, and to point you to his blog, Doug – Off the Record. Doug dedicates himself to strengthening collaboration between Ontario teachers as we strive to transform learning in the age of technology. I was thrilled when Doug asked me for an interview for the blog, which was published last week. I was also thrilled that Doug took time to explore and blog about a new resource that I’ve been involved in writing, Music in a Lifetime. Please check out Doug’s blog!
Super Conference 2016 Call for Proposals: The Ontario Library Association has announced the theme for next year’s conference. From the website:
The 2016 theme is Library Lab: The Idea Incubator.
New ideas and theories are everywhere. In the right conditions, they percolate, bubble, germinate, coalesce and congeal. They get tested, shaped, moulded and evaluated until they flourish into existence.
This year’s theme explores the unique position of libraries to harness creative energy and incubate ideas. Our communities are brimming with fresh ideas, entrepreneurial start-ups, and experimental partnerships. Libraries serve as environments that catalyze exploration, breed experimentation and encourage curiosity.
The deadline for proposals is May 19, so get those creative juices flowing! Here’s a link to the OLA Super Conference 2016 Proposal Space.
Hot off the press! Derrick Grose Named Recipient of the Canadian Library Association’s Angela Thacker Memorial Award: Congratulations to my friend and editor, Derrick Grose, a most worthy recipient of this important national award. Read the CLA’s press release about the award.
