What is the EdHub? A 21st century learning commons

Posted by: Megan Enger

APA Citation: 

Boss, S. (2017, December 7). A small town school embraces a big vision. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/small-town-school-embraces-big-vision/

Summary: This Edutopia resource explains how Superintendent Buddy Barry transformed a high school with declining enrollment in Eminence, Kentucky: by identifying the needs of a 21st century learner, he helped create the “EdHub” and transform not only enrollment numbers but the whole community. A nickel tax raised $6 million dollars and renovated the entire building to look more like Google’s headquarters than a traditional high school. Materials for student checkouts still include books, but also power tools and robotics equipment. There are eight makerspaces and opportunities for dual enrollment through the local community college. This article also includes three embedded videos showing the EdHub in action and with testimonials from students, teachers, and administrators; one video gives an overview of the space, another focuses on the Early College Program, and another showcases a hands-on learning project.

Evaluation: This article is a fantastic starting place for those interested in learning about the EdHub. It comes from a reputable source and succinctly explains how Buddy Barry accomplished such a transformation. The videos are a nice bonus that clearly illustrate the community impact. Even schools with small footprints and smaller budgets will be inspired by the EdHub–it asks us all to reconsider how the library can still be the hub of the school and envisions a 21st century learning commons to best serve student needs. Those wanting to learn more about the EdHub should check out their website, especially for Eminence’s mini-credential program that is structured like merit badges (earned when students demonstrate competency in things like 3D printing and stop motion). Additionally, Dr. Loertscher interviewed the EdHub’s librarian and an ELA teacher turned “integration specialist” who speak to the value of having a dedicated staff supporting this community.

School Library Research From Around the World

Brenna Smith

Gavigan, K. (2018). School library research from around the world: Where it's been and where it's headed. Knowledge Quest, 46(5), 32-39.

Summary: In this article, repeated keywords from issues of School Libraries Worldwide from 2010 to 2016 are studied. The recurring topics are advocacy, collaboration, impact studies, reading and reading promotion, and technology. They found that staff who advocate for the library are recognized as being leaders and indispensable members of the school community. In 2011, Ewbank published a study where half of 381 school librarians around the U.S. did not engage in advocacy activities due to lack of time and awareness. They found that collaboration between librarians and teachers help development of programs, improve instructional planning, and decreases plagiarism. Canadian-based study in 2011 found that school libraries that were more accessible, better funded, professionally staffed, and had more resources resulted in higher standardized test scores. Findings in several studies show that partnerships between school libraries and public libraries helped develop students’ reading skills. It was also discussed that school librarians need to develop and use their technology skills to become technology leaders. Two important factors to becoming school technology leaders is having support from principals and being proactive about how librarians approach their technology role. Overall, as for many studies, additional research is needed to find what effects school library programs have on student achievement.

Evaluation: I thought that this article was very informative, and reiterates what we have been learning throughout library school. It was interesting to find out that the same topics are being discussed and studied across the world, and that despite the populations, we all want to focus on the same ideas in the library.

Brenna Smith

Tait, E., Vo-Tran, H., Mercieca, P., & Reynolds, S. (2019). Don't worry, a school library with fewer books and more technology is good for today's students. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/dont-worry-a-school-library-with-fewer-books-and-more-technology-is-good-for-todays-students-114356?

Summary: In the article published by The Conversation, Tait, Vo-Tran, Mercieca, & Reynolds focus on an all girl's school in Melbourne that sparked a lot of attention through social media by creating a "technology focused center." Many were upset because they assumed that the Melbourne school had completely done away with checking our print books, but this was not the case. The principal argued that she believed in creating a "Learning Center" where the staff continues to provide library services but also offers "discussions with students to encourage creative thinking."
This article also reiterates what we as librarians already know, and that we are constantly changing the way we support patrons as quickly as our society shifts. That "library professionals have been at the forefront of embracing technology: from establishing the first computer labs in schools in the 1980's through to working with students and teachers to use new technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, gaming and recording suites in learning and creativity." With the vast amount of online information and new technologies, they will not be absorbed or used properly without the guidance of a librarian.  

Evaluation: I felt that a significant piece of this article was when the principal defended her decision to restructure the library by calling it a Learning Center. As we have been studying throughout this quarter, libraries can no longer consist of collections of print books. To help today's student be successful for the future, we have to make sure that the library and its staff are integrating technology and project based learning activities into each visit.

Getting Started with AR/VR Mixed Reality

Ishizuka, K. (2019). Get Started With AR/VR/Mixed Reality. SLJ Webcasts.

    Retrieved from https://www.slj.com/?subpage=Events&eventtype=webcasts

In this fifty minute webcast, AR/VR Mixed Reality tools, resources, digital forums, and curriculum-aligned lessons are discussed.

AR/VR (Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality) is a not-so-new tool that is increasingly gaining steam in the educational setting. With the introduction of affordable tools and curriculum aligned content, libraries are becoming the hub for offering AR/VR. One of the speakers, Aditya Vishwanath, Ph.D student at Stanford University, has found that with AR/VR student engagement is increasing in content-related lessons. Through VR/AR students are asking higher level questions that focus on the "why" instead of the "how." With inquiry-based learning and increased critical thinking, students are gaining knowledge and experiencing content while immersing themselves in the curriculum. AR/VR is a resource that will expand collections, make connections, and open doors for people to experience the world through their school or public library.

What the 21st-Century Library Looks Like

Cassandra Swartzwelder

Najmabadi, S. (July 02, 2017). What the 21st-Century Library Looks Like. The Chronical of Higher Education. Retrieved from https://www.chronicle.com/article/What-the-21st-Century-Library/240494

Summary:

This article is about the changes that occurred at DePaul’s John T. Richardson Library. Recently the library went through a renovation that reflect today's digital world. The main floor no longer holds books, but instead offers a space where patrons can gather, talk, and get technical help from the Genius Squad counter. This part of the library has transitioned from being a library of collections to a library of people. The internet has taken the place of books. Due to this some libraries have moved their books off-site to create more space for their users. Libraries are getting rid of items or placing them in storage. The article notes that HathiTrust, is making sure that at least one of its member libraries holds onto a physical copy of each resource hosted online. This allows the library to free up much needed space that is requested by its users while preserving its collection. This also has had an effect on a librarian’s job. Librarians are spending less time with collections and more time teaching. In order to fit their new role libraries are buying less print and more electronic resources.

Evaluation:

This article reflects the climate of today. It address how libraries and librarians jobs are changing due to technology. It also notes the importance of preserving the libraries print collection. By doing all of these things, libraries will be able to provide the user with their needs for the years to come.

Preserve technology storage collection downsizing

Oyzon, Joanna

Zaleski, A. (2018, February 10). The CD is dead? Not so fast. Salon. Retrieved from: https://www.salon.com/2018/02/10/the-cd-is-dead-not-so-fast/

Two huge retailers, Target and Best Buy, are reevaluating their compact disc sales strategies. Target wants to pay music labels only for what is sold (instead of buying CDs upfront and then returning them for credit). Best Buy, in an even bigger move, has decided to stop selling CDs as of July 1. CD sales have been slipping for years (as vinyl record sales have increased). However, streaming still dominates. As Zaleski states, "On-demand audio and video streams sales increased 43% to 618 billion. Physical and digital album sales, meanwhile, decreased 17.7 percent, to 169.15 million, " (2018). However, she believes compact discs will still be used by those without a solid internet connection and people who prefer stability in their music collection.

I am not surprised that CDs are decreasing in popularity. I don't remember the last time I bought a physical CD, and I have been using streaming services (Google Play, Spotify and now Amazon) for years now.  But... I've also got a library of my own music from my decades-long music buying days that I have digitized back when the iPod was popular. When I listen to new music I like, I'm able to listen to it for while... until it disappears from the streaming catalog, then I buy it digitally. Hoopla is a streaming service that is in use by libraries, but it doesn't have everything. For example, I just searched for Radiohead. There where no albums. So unless you want to hear a karaoke or a piano tribute to Radiohead, you're out of luck. In the future, when digital and streaming are much more dependable than they are now, I see libraries no longer having physical CD collections. Currently though, if having a stable music collection with breadth that is usable by people without a solid internet collection is important to a library, then physical CDs are the way to go.

Making Friends and BUYING ROBOTS.

Tipton, Katy

Kvenild, C. c., Shepherd, C. c., Smith, S. s., & Thielk, E. e. (2017). Making Friends and BUYING ROBOTS. Knowledge Quest, 45(3), 62-69.

This article is about a school library system navigating the pitfalls and ultimate success of integrating robot building kits into their maker space.

This is a very detailed read - almost a how-to step-by-step. It's fascinating to follow the librarian's, teacher's, and student's progress as they figure out how to best supply and execute the program. Great information for those of you planning to implement something like this in your own school library. Plus, ROBOTS!!!!😁

Teens, Technology, and Libraries: An Uncertain Relationship

Thoai Truong

Agosto, D.E. Magee, R. M.  Dickard, M.  Forte, A. (2016, July). Teens, technology, and libraries: An

          uncertain relationship. Library Quarterly, 86(3), 248-269. Retrieved from   

          http://www.journals.uchicago.edu.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1086/686673

Descriptive Summary:

The goal of this study is to find the relationship betwee teens, libraries, and technology.  25 high school students were surveyed and interviewed at an urban magnet public school.  They all volunteered and were paid $20 for their time.  Students were asked about their most recent library visit.  What exactly did the do in the library and why?  The data collected revealed that most students use the library for social interaction and leisure opportunities.  Most claimed that their limited library use was due to a library being equated with books.  They also viewed the library as having limited resources.  The physical space of the library became a place to do things for non library purposes.  Overall, the library was not a place where students were seeking to use technology.  Most had access to the Internet and computer at home. There were a small number of students that enjoyed checking out books over e-books.

Evaluation:

Although the research only surveyed 25 students, it provided insight into the thinking of teenagers. Today most families have Internet access at home and a smart phone, which makes information retrieval at the library not very important.  Their reasoning and purpose for library use makes sense. I would like more students to be interviewed. I would also like to see if this is the same sentiment across the United States. Follow up questions allowed for more understanding to their reasons for using/not using the library. I like the fact that the researchers allowed the students to define the library.

Perhaps we are seeing more maker spaces and learning commons taking shape in libraries due to this attitude by teenagers.  Libraries are trying to draw in patrons, and need to find alternative ways, besides technology, which is no longer the main draw to libraries.

Librarian willingness to learn technology

Faubion, Kathy

Maceli, M., & Burke, J.J. (2016). Technology skills in the workplace: Information professionals’ current use and future aspirations. Information Technology & Libraries 35(4), 35-62. doi:10.6017/ital.v35i4.9540

Descriptive Summary: This study of librarians began with technologies used, such as database usage, and also looked into technologies librarians would like to learn, such as coding. There was a discussion of barriers to learning or using technology in the libraries, such as lack of training opportunities or funds to implement changes. The results were broken down by how long the librarian had been employed with the interest in learning technology peaking at 3-5 years.

Evaluation: An interesting study because it addresses the attitudes of librarians towards technology and how willing they are to learn more.

Keywords: technology, library technology, librarian, online information services

Libraries 2016

Simon Clifford

Horrigan, J. (2016). Libraries 2016. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from:
http://pewinternet.org/

Summary

A summary of the Pew Research Center's findings on American public libraries, including public opinion and current trends. It covers many topics, such as events and programs, technology, and usage.

Evaluation

The report found that most Americans think libraries should provide more digital tools and education. It also found that Americans are divided on whether or not print collections should be removed to make room for other spaces, but the support for such a decision has fallen since 2015. Both topics are of interest to collection development. Beyond that lens, the report is useful as a benchmark of the current state of the field. 

Web 2.0 and the impact on libraries

Samnath, Kayla

Maness, J. (2006). "Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries". Webology, 3 (2), Article 25. Available at: http://www.webology.org/2006/v3n2/a25.html

Summary:  

During this course, our class was asked to fill out a survey about technology in their library of choice. One of the questions asked if the chosen library had web 2.0. After we got into small groups it was clear that we were all a little unsure of what this meant. After some research I came across author Maness’s article “Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0”.

Maness first discusses how the web has evolved into more than just a “collection of monologues” , rather, the web has changed into a “ more interactive, multimedia drive technological space” (2006, n.p.). Due to the ever changing nature of the web, libraries find themselves at a cross-roads in services provided. Maness explains his idea of “Library 2.0 as being the application of interactive, collaborative, and multimedia web-based technologies to web-based library services and collections” (2006, n.p.). Libraries adapting to this new user centered technology will be able to give their patrons even more information, which is easier to access.

This article includes great examples of how libraries have implemented these new changes. One example Maness used was instant messaging. Instant messaging gives patrons remote access to reference services. Another web 2.0 tool used my libraries today is flash programming, streaming audio and/or video, and even interactive quizzes.

Maness feels that social networks will have the most impact on libraries. The reason is because social networks “enable messages, blogging, streaming media, tagging” (2006, n.p.). Not only does it assist in the ease of accessing information, but it also represents the community in which it serves. Maness discusses how historically, libraries have been a place of gathering, community, and communication. This he argues resembles the social media of today, which is a possible future for libraries.

Evaluation:

Although this article is six years old, it really does a great job embodying how the evolution of technology can be adapted into library practices. Many of the items Maness lists in his article are used by libraries right now. Web 2.0 tools really connect people remotely, and give them access to information with much of ease than the library could previously. This article really clarified concepts in which myself and others were a little unsure of.

This article is also useful for citation searching. It introduces some of the forefathers of the librarian scholarship about web 2.0 capabilities. The internet represents the rapid consumption and production of information capabilities new technology offers us. Maness also exposes his readers to the change in library paradigms. Libraries of the past focused on in house collections, trying to make them as available to the public as possible, whereas now there is a shift which focuses more on collaborative systems.

Race, Place and Information Technology

Bradley, Rebecca
INFO 266
Fall 2016

Mossberger, K., Tolbert, C. J. & Gilbert, M. (2006). Race, place and information technology. Urban Affairs Review, 41(5), 583-620. doi: 10.1177/1078087405283511


This article attempts to study the different causes of lower technology use among African-Americans and Latinos. Borrowing from earlier research done by one of the authors, Mossberger, along with many other studies, the current article determines that “place matters” when it comes to the causes of the digital divide. To my surprise, this article was published in 2006 and almost mirrors research carried out within the same time period as found in the article that I reviewed previously called “(Generation 1.5) Latinos and the Library: A Case Study.” Basically, although African-Americans and Latinos have more positive attitudes towards technology than whites within the same socio-economic level, both minority groups are less likely to have a computer, Internet access, or tech skills.



Using rather complex hierarchical linear modeling, the authors’ research concludes that the digital divide is due to the fact that many African-Americans and Latinos live in areas of “concentrated poverty,” in which 40% or more of the population is living at or below the poverty line. More shocking is the fact that 94% of these areas of concentrated poverty are in major U.S. cities. The authors suspect that dense urban municipalities are forced to spend more money on fire, police, and court services leaving smaller amounts to spend on other services such as public libraries. Also, the authors suggest that poor African-Americans and Latinos end up in large urban city school with inferior tech access and instruction. This is precisely what the authors of “(Generation 1.5)” concluded as well after conducting surveys among 105 Latino Freshman attending California State University, Los Angeles in 2006. All of the articles I have read so far go on to propose that language could be an additional issue for Latinos, further widening the digital divide. Once again, as a teacher-librarian working in a poor urban neighborhood with a large Latino population, this article only deepens my understanding of the many barriers to technology and success in higher education faced by my young students and inspires me to search for solutions to these obstacles.