Brisbane Grammar was a highlight for
me. They have recently opened the Lilley Centre, a new 26 million dollar
library centre, a state-of-the-art building equipped with the latest
technology. Access to information– in all its various forms – audio, video,
internet or printed material, is a priority. As the information centre of the
school, the centre is multi-functional and exceptionally practical, designed to
meet the pupils’ needs and likes. New technologies make so much possible and
the centre offers video conferencing facilities linked also to a teaching
training venue for professional development. The geography of the learning
spaces is impressive. Classrooms are comfortable and practical; bright and airy
with lots of glass. Furniture is easy to move and so rooms are able to be adapted
to suit a particular class’s needs. Australians term this a flexible learning
space.
The Lilley Centre is extremely popular
with the pupils, and is an important social space, for collaborating on
learning tasks and also for collaborating socially. Their Head of eLearning
said that information literacy and the ability to access and evaluate
information that promotes both independent learning and social responsibility,
is a main focus. The aim is to empower and transform pupils by providing
opportunities for critical thinking, meaningful creation of knowledge and a
deeper understanding of complex world issues. There are spaces for pupils to
work in small or big groups or on their own – and the technology is there to
encourage publication and to equip pupils with the skills they will need to
become flexible, innovative and reflective thinkers. Pupils’ work is displayed
on large monitors all over the library.
Information skills taught in isolation
are of little value and their librarians are working partners with classroom
teachers to plan, develop, implement and evaluate units of study.
•
reflect on
information
•
select what is
useful
•
evaluate its
value
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