ENLIGHTENMENT LOGGIAEvolution of the Traditional Library By Antonio Naylor

Enlightenment Loggia

Studio

Inception

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Plaza

Enlightenment LoggiaLibraries have traditionally been a book depository for knowledge. The means to deliver knowledge has evolved beyond books and the physical location to contain it. Our concern today isn’t the safekeeping and locale of knowledge but more about the dissemination of it. The next logical step is for libraries to become a place to impart knowledge. The Enlightenment Loggia is an attempt to provide learning for all utilizing a variety in approach for three distinct spaces. The three spaces are as follows; a Studio where knowledge is presented and brought into focus with instructors’ guidance. an Inception Workshop for collaboration and peer to peer learning and a Plaza for large groups and individual reflection . The progression is from learning, to application and then to communication/manipulation of their knowledge. The major connection for students is through mobile devices and the wireless backbone to drive it.

Studio

Inception Workshop

Plaza

STUDIO

StudioIn this space, we provide for the dispatching of knowledge. Instructors guide the flow of information and monitor the discussions among students. To help facilitate this flow, the layout has small groups of students at tables. Tables are located in four quadrants of space with three locations for video projection. Two tables have mobile monitors while the other two have the video projector. Transitions from lecture to group discussion are fluid and occur without moving the furniture. The idea is to implement a seamless environment that flows with instructional needs.

The instructor has front wall for lecture and a small table in the middle for small group discussion. Instructors are fitted with a wireless microphone connected to speakers in ceiling for sound reinforcement. Students have tablets or laptops connected wirelessly to interact. Studio sessions are recorded and can be accessed by students when required. Grants are available to add sound reinforcement to classrooms.

Studio(3) Video Projectio

nLocations

(4) Small Group Tables

Instructor’s Table

StudioSwivel chairs allow students to be mobile and turn, as necessary, in the direction of lecture or small group discussion. Each table has a mobile marker board for jotting down important information or learning goals. The idea is this board can be taken into the Inception Workshop to reference items from Studio. Three walls have more marker board to write down topics and ideas. Students start everyday in the Studio getting more instruction and continuing discussion. The foundation for their knowledge takes shape and prepares them for application.

One wall has been reserved for glazing. It provide day lighting and offer visual connection to the courtyard, as well as glass door to access. LED lighting has dimming controls to provide daylight harvesting with constant illumination levels during night conditions.

INCEPTION WORKSHOP

Inception WorkshopIn this space, we provide an environment for application of knowledge through creation. Students can apply knowledge to projects using problem solving, decision making, investigative skills, and reflection. The mobile marker board from Studio serves as a reminder of rubrics set by students and teacher. This is primarily a students space. It is not governed by the time of day as for rest of classes. Your project can be stored under the bench . Students are be encouraged to work on it when ever they have time or feel inspired. They can go back to the studio to engage in more small group instruction or get more instruction from teacher.

A work bench with ergonomic stools promotes standing and movement during creation. The idea is to keep this area active to engage students. Glass partitions serve as separation from the Plaza allowing high visibility. Monitors are mounted on tackable wall surface for students to post ideas and continue to display research from tablet or other source of media.

Inception Workshop

Glass PartitionTackable Surface Monitors

Mobile Marker Board

Serpentine Acoustical

Clouds

Inception WorkshopSerpentine clouds were utilized for a variety of reasons relating to sound, lighting, and atmosphere. In regards to sound, the serpentine clouds dampen the acoustics of this area and help define this space off the plaza. We have limited sound reinforcement in this area so that we can minimize the distractions and the ability for others to disturb students when they are working on projects.  In the Loggia, we have overhead lighting, but the lighting in this space is more task intensive and must be provided accordingly over each bench area. This promotes flexibility in the spaces because the individual task lighting can be easily modified depending on the learning style of the student working in the area. Lighting can be task driven, but when lighting is paired with learning styles, and students are able to work in a space that promotes their learning and acquisition of knowledge; that creates an added benefit. Lighting, be it task or otherwise, also affects the mood and atmosphere of the space which indirectly impacts student learning. The Inception Workshop is connected to Plaza by lounge spaces.  These lounge spaces will give the students the opportunity to break from projects to reflect or unwind.

PLAZA

PlazaIn this space, students experience cognitive concepts in various modalities to strengthen and reinforce their learning. We provide for the communication and manipulation of the applied knowledge from workshop. Students can utilize this social hub for presenting their projects on a main collapsible stage equipped with projection behind it. An added benefit is that students can peer into the workshop to see projects in progress. There are side marker boards mounted on glass partitions that allow students to display information about their projects. The flexibility of the collapsible stage is beneficial because it can be divided and positioned for display of projects at marker boards. The design of this pace is conducive for self-paced walking tours or to convening for small solutions and/or critics groups. Because feedback is encouraged for the students, we invite the general population of the school and community to experience the plaza. This provides an added dimension by allowing social interaction between the students and the community; by increasing opportunities for communication of their ideas; by requiring students to increase their complexity of thought from defending or explaining their project; and by exposing students to situations that will enable them to readily make the transition from the school environment to the workplace.

PlazaCollapsible

Stage with large Projection Screen.

Marker Board for Display on Glass Partition

Chess/Checker Board Pattern

for Social Activity

Spaces for Individual Reflection

PlazaIndividuals can retreat to reflect on what they have learned or break for casual social interaction. Students are provided areas to lounge and recharge themselves with fruit or other snacks. Federally funded afterschool snack programs could supplement . The lounge areas are carved out of the interconnected spaces between the Inception Workshop and Plaza. The boundaries are made invisible so students can pass through each applying and communicating their freshly learned knowledge.

PlazaCourtyards are provided on both sides of the Plaza and are accessible from both studios. Any function of the Enlightenment Loggia can be moved outside for change of scenery and to add variety. The Basketball Court serves as a place to work off excess energy and allow students to resume their work more focused. The checkered pattern on the floor can be a social exercise with students playing the role of pieces while other students call out the moves. The plaza has the same wireless microphones and speaker sound reinforcement of studio but on a larger scale and ability to be zoned for the (4) markerboard/display areas.

Courtyard and Basketball

Court

Chess/Checkers Pattern on Floor

SUMMARY

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SummaryStudio: Inception

Workshop: Plaza:

Physiological: Some Mobility in Swivel ChairPsychological: Both Global and AnalyticSociological: Authority, Large and Small GroupsEnvironmental: Sound, Lighting, Temp & SeatPerceptual: Auditory, Visual Picture, Visual Text & Auditory VerbalEmotional: Structure, Task Persistence, Motivation & Conformity

Physiological: More Mobility Standing and flexible time of day.Psychological: AnalyticSociological: No Authority & Small GroupsEnvironmental: Sound, Lighting, Temp & SeatPerceptual: Visual Picture, Visual Text, Auditory Verbal, Tactual & Some KinestheticEmotional: Little Structure & No Conformity

Physiological: Most Mobility Walking and snacks at loungesPsychological: GlobalSociological: Some Authority, Variety, Alone, Pair, Large & Small GroupsEnvironmental: Sound, Lighting, Temp & SeatPerceptual: Auditory, Visual Picture, Visual Text, Auditory Verbal, Tactual & KinestheticEmotional: More Structure & Some Conformity

SummaryClosing:The traditional model of a library has not changed a lot when viewed through the eyes of educators. The model has continued to represent their concerns and perspective on what needs they feel should be met within a library. What if, along with advances in technology, we moved from an administrator based model to a client side model? I believe the Enlightenment Loggia shows how, through advancements and research in cognitive learning and technology, a library can transform to a space that is conducive to student centered learning. We can provide an environment with 24/7 access to an endless array of global information; knowledge and resources that are limitless, and resources that extend beyond the covers and spine of hardback books. Flexible spaces in layout and function provides the instructors/ facilitators ease of access to move in and around the students to monitor and assist, or simply observe and allow the students to work independently, depending on task and or/ learning style. The design allows for multi- faceted collaboration between students and between students and instructors. That collaboration can extend to between several instructors and the Resource Administrator and Instructor, giving students example of how it can work. In the Enlightenment Loggia, the Resource Administrator is a redefined role for the Librarian. Through collaboration and research, students will develop real world skill sets that are growing in demand among the workforce. Being equipped with real world skill sets enhances learning and minimizes instances where rote memorization is required. The overall benefit is the student/individual is considered and involved in the learning process, and is allowed the opportunity to take ownership of their learning. Multiple pathways to learning that is hands on, rigorous, relatable, and relevant would increase our chances to graduate students who are ready to work in a global, multicultural and diverse society. Our diversity has been a strength we have forgotten to exploit. I’ll close with this quote. “We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion.”Max de Pree

SummaryResources: The New Learning Commons: Where Learners Win! Reinventing School Libraries and Computer Labs, 2nd edition, David V. Loertscher, Carol Koechlin, and Sandi ZwaanTeaching as a Subversive Activity, Neil Postman & Charles WeingartnerNew Learning Environments for the 21st Century, John Seely Brown The Revolution Isn’t Just Digital, Alan S. InouyeFuture of the Learning Space: Breaking Out of the Box, Phillip D. Long and Stephen C. EhrmannClassroom Amplification to Enhance Student Performance, Neil J. DiSarno, Melissa Schowalter and Patricia Grassa Student Centered Active Learning Upside Down Pedagogies (ScaleUP) http://scaleup.ncsu.edu/Learning Spaces Collaboratory http://www.pkal.org/Calypso Systems http://www.calypsosystems.com/AMX Schoolview http://www.simplifyyourcampus.com/solutions/Steelcase Furniture http://www.steelcase.com/en/pages/homepage.aspxFinelite Lightng http://www.finelite.com/school-floor-plan/Lithonia Lighting http://www.lithonia.com/pt/led+lightingArmstrong Ceilings http://www.armstrong.com/commceilingsna/article46149.htmlPolyVision Solutions http://www.polyvision.com/solutions/collaborative-spaceFerderal Afterschool Snack Programs http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/afterschool/SMART Technology http://smarttech.com/us/Solutions/Education+Solutions/Products+for+education

ENLIGHTENMENT LOGGIAEvolution of the Traditional Library By Antonio Naylor