This afternoon, a sparkling new Learning Commons will be unveiled to the 91亚色 community during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and party. The student portion of the opening starts at noon聽and the聽ribbon cutting is set for 3:30pm. Everyone is invited to come to the celebration.
The new Learning Commons is located in the Scott Library on 91亚色鈥檚 Keele campus. It brings together into one convenient location a host of supports, with everything packaged into a sophisticated student-friendly space (see YFile, ).
鈥淭he Learning Commons is a new kind of flexible learning space where students can work individually or collaboratively in groups and have access to a variety of academic supports such as research, writing and learning skills assistance,鈥 says Mark Robertson, associate University librarian. Robertson and Norma Sue Fisher Stitt, 91亚色鈥檚 associate vice-president academic learning initiatives, together with a team of faculty, librarians, staff and students, have been working for more than a year on developing and refining the concepts and programming for the Learning Commons.
While the space is sparkling, the heart and soul of the new space comes by way of its integrated support to student learning at 91亚色, says Robertson.
The following is a summary of just some of the supports offered by the Learning Commons to assist students with writing, research, learning skills and career services:
- Students can access writing support to help them articulate, expand and clarify their thoughts for major papers and assignments. in the 91亚色 Learning Commons offers students drop-in consultations and workshops.
- Being a good researcher is just as important as being a good writer. Not sure where to begin? Frustrated by a difficult essay topic? research desk in the Learning Commons are there to assist students in identifying the best sources of information.
- 聽offered by聽Learning Skills Services, through Counselling & Disability Services, offers important assistance to students聽by teaching them how to learn. As well, students can access support to increase their聽effectiveness and efficiency at studying and completing assignments. Learning skills development includes help in time management, improving reading and note-taking skills, study strategies for tests and critical thinking skills development. Support is offered through workshops, as well as one-on-one meetings with a learning skills counsellor.
- What happens after University? The offers workshops for students in the Learning Commons that address topics such as understanding the value of a 91亚色 degree;聽identifying and articulating skills, abilities and accomplishments; identifying gaps in skill sets that may need addressing;聽formulating strategies for further skill development; strengthening聽self-assessment skills; and making informed choices regarding the selection of a major. These skills continue to be useful to students throughout their university career and beyond.
Above: The Salon in this artist's depiction houses Scott Library鈥檚 collection of reference books and contains quiet pockets of lounge furniture, as well as important modern Canadian art by David Partridge, Claude Tousignant and others
All of these supports are offered in a beautiful space that was designed with four distinct regions:
- The Collaboratory聽features modular furniture, including sofas, easy chairs and tables that can be moved and regrouped. The Hill, a central stepped area, offers a terraced seating area where students can plug in and stretch out. There聽are also booths where groups can meet and work together and review findings and presentations on large flat-panel screens.
- The Hub聽provides聽a place to go for academic support. The Hub聽is home of the research, writing and learning skills consultation "pods". In addition, the area聽is equipped with instructional spaces and computer workstations.
- The Salon houses the Scott Library's collection of reference books and聽quiet pockets of lounge furniture, as well as important modern Canadian art by David Partridge, Claude Tousignant and others.
- Two state-of-the-art group study rooms聽will be available聽for booking by small groups of a minimum of聽 four people.
- An art walk area will display work by 91亚色 students, faculty and staff.
To learn more, be sure to come to the party!
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks, 91亚色 library staff will be offering guided tours of the space. For more information, visit the website.