After reading the Introduction of OPEN I will create....

In my last post I spoke about creating a 'learning commons' at school after reading the Introduction to OPEN: How we'll work, live and learn in the future by David Price

What does this mean?
The term 'commons' originated :
The village green, or “common,” was traditionally a place to graze livestock, stage a festival, or meet neighbours. This concept of social utility underlies the philosophy of the modern learning commons, which is a flexible environment built to accommodate multiple learning activities.
This explanation takes it to the next level :
“The Learning Commons liberates the exploration of ideas and concepts; encouraging inquiry, imagination, discovery and creativity through the connection of learners to information, to each other and to communities around the world."

In our St Joseph's 2013 Education Review report, the review team recognised our reflective staff culture as a strength: The staff culture is one of cohesion, openness to change and preparedness to trial new ideas.

Our 'super' staff are constantly inquiring into their own teaching, exploring how to create the optimal learning conditions for every child to engage in deep learning for success. They ask other staff to observe them teach, they listen to the children and collaborate with parents, they research and they adapt. They have a learning commons mentality. Without this, the most modern of  Modern Learning Environments (MLE) would lack soul. Learn more about MLE's on this excellent sites: Mr Theo's blog.

Our staff are creative and innovative within the refines of our traditional buildings and are actively creating a learning commons by opening up doors between rooms, team teaching, utilising BYOD, removing furniture, sharing learning on sites. 

After reading the Introduction of OPEN, I will co-construct a vibrant 'learning commons' for our wonderful staff and give them a 'sabbatical' away from staff meetings. This will free time for our teachers to become even greater designers of learning by 'creating the context and culture for innovation to flourish' (p174 ).

After reading Chapter 1 of OPEN I will radically change the way we communicate with our community. Learn more in my next blog.