What is a Learning Commons?

What is a Learning Commons?

A Learning Commons is a learning “space” that is both physical and virtual. As you might guess, a Learning Commons is about common physical and virtual places to experiment, practice, celebrate, learn, work, and play . . . .

The Open Commons is the physical and the virtual spaces where learners meet to read, conduct research, test out ideas with others, and work to creatively share their new understandings.

The Experimental Learning Centre is the centre of school improvement; the physical space and the virtual spaces where administrators and faculty conduct action research and refine new teaching approaches. As well, it is here, in the Experimental Learning Centre, that learners try out new technologies and digital tools before they are introduced in the rest of the school.

As the centre of the Learning Commons, the school library becomes more than the hub of the school where students and teachers gravitate to work on projects and find materials they need. The school library joins forces with the school computer lab and is transformed into a vital catalyst for school improvement for staff as well as students . . . ”

Desired Elements in the Learning Commons:

Is Student Centred
Has Flexible Spaces
Facilitates Connectivity
Promotes Higher Order Thinking
Encourages Participatory Thinking
Enables Collaboration
Showcases Learning
Furthers Engagement


From Building a Learning Commons by Carol Koechlin, Esther Rosenfeld, David V. Loertscher, Hi Willow Research & Publishing, 2010.

“A Learning Commons is a flexible and responsive approach to helping schools focus on learning collaboratively . . . .  Within a Learning Commons, new relationships are formed between learners, new technologies are realized and utilized, and both students and educators prepare for the future as they learn new ways to learn.”

Ontario Library Association, 2010