Building Inclusive Learning Commons
by Deidre Gardner
This paper presentation shares the explorations of Innovation Resource Teacher, Deidre-Ann K. Gardener as she works to find ways to enhance the school library learning commons to be more welcoming and accessible for students with exceptionalities. Deidre filters her research using critical foundations for school library learning commons – Physical and Virtual LLC Space, Accessibility and LLC Management.
Deidre-Ann holds a Master of Teaching with a focus in curriculum and instruction. She uses this as a foundation for developing programs for multimodal experiences and integration of technology to develop innovative learning experiences. She continues to focus on fostering opportunities for inquiry, prioritizes sharing joy and, building spaces that are reflective and supportive of the diverse needs of all learners and communities she serves.
Deirdre-Ann - I love what you've created to help ensure that your LLC is an inclusive space for all learners in your school community. This is a beautiful implementation of what it looks like when the principals of the Universal Design for Learning are applied in the LLC! It sounds to me like you have a very supportive admin team who have given you a schedule with enough flexibility to ensure that you were able to align the Sensory Space periods with the schedules of the support staff. That's amazing!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on an incredible initiative. You saw a need, advocated for change, and have improved access to the LLC for your school community! Looking forward to discussing this more at TMC8.
Deirdre, your paper weaves so well with many of the others here in TMC8, from Jenn Brown's reflection on her space to Alanna's paper related to students with exceptionalities. I hope you get a chance to read these other papers and connect with them. How will you collect data on the impact of these changes and the introduction of the Sensory Period into the schedule? Can anyone borrow the tactile books? Can anyone attend the sensory period, whether or not they have a recognized disability? It's hard to believe it's only been a year since our paths crossed in the TL AQ at York! Congratulations on continuing to be a lifelong learner.
ReplyDeleteDiana Maliszewski