Strategies for Establishing a Personal Academic Hub at Home
Dr. Holly Frilot, a renowned educator and Cobb County School District Supervisor, has revolutionised the educational landscape with her groundbreaking Library Learning Commons (LLC) Certification program. This innovative initiative, the first of its kind in the nation, is designed to transform traditional library spaces into dynamic learning commons, fostering a collaborative, technology-enriched environment that empowers students and educators alike.
The LLC Certification program focuses on three key areas: services, resources, and intentional spaces. To achieve this, Dr. Frilot offers three actionable tips for school media centres: Collaborate, Learn, and Create. By involving all stakeholders, including students, in discussions about defining the Library Learning Commons, schools can create a vibrant, student-focused space that addresses the needs of struggling students and enhances overall learning outcomes.
Dr. Frilot's program emphasises the importance of equity and empowerment, aligning with 21st-century teaching and learning goals. By integrating technology and diverse learning modalities, the certification helps library media specialists and educators to maximise student engagement and foster a collaborative learning environment. This approach has gained acclaim in the education sector, with Dr. Frilot receiving an Innovative Leader Award for her work[1].
The transformed spaces within schools that have implemented the LLC Certification are impressive. They feature podcast booths, video studios, makerspace labs, and ample access to power and Wi-Fi. To create a comprehensive plan for these future-ready learning spaces, Dr. Frilot advises partnering with local community businesses and engaging with a company that designs educational spaces.
Dr. Frilot's motivation for creating the LLC Certification was to engage students in a student-focused participatory approach to school library programs. The certification initiative prioritises collaborative teaching and learning, informed by the transformative work of library media specialists. The LLC Certification is awarded to the school, requiring school-wide engagement for instructional collaboration and a positive reading culture.
In an era of financial uncertainty, engaging stakeholders with a concrete, clear plan can help secure funding for new programs. Dr. Frilot recommends slowing down, listening, and asking good questions to learn from those who have gone before in creating Library Learning Commons spaces. To date, Dr. Frilot has transformed over 50 media centres into Library Learning Commons, with 50 more in the works.
The LLC Certification program provides guidelines and honours schools for providing print and digital literacy education. By focusing on transforming library spaces into dynamic learning commons, the program helps schools to better meet the needs of their students and achieve systemic educational improvements. For precise curriculum details or implementation guidelines, further resources from Dr. Frilot or her institution would likely provide in-depth information beyond this overview.
[1] Innovative Leader Award:
- Dr. Frilot's LLC Certification program encourages students to actively participate in the redesign of their library spaces, aiming to create a student-focused learning environment.
- The LLC Certification requires school-wide engagement for instructional collaboration and a positive reading culture, awarding the certification to the school as a whole.
- To maximize student engagement and foster a collaborative learning environment, the LLC Certification integrates technology and diverse learning modalities.
- In community-driven Library Learning Commons, local businesses and educational space design companies can be partnered with to plan and implement future-ready learning spaces.
- By focusing on digital and print literacy education, the LLC Certification program aims to help schools better address the needs of their students and achieve overall educational improvements.
