This short video is long on ideas for making a library, which was built at the beginning of the 20th century, a digitally friendly centre. Maria Cavaiuolo, Documentation Technician, at Macdonald High School in Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec (Lester B. Pearson School Board) shows how this bring-your-own-device school makes it easy for students to log on with either their own device or the computers and mobile devices available in the library. In addition, observing how students work gave them ideas to make the environment more appealing to teenagers. For example, Maria saw that students like to stand when they work. So she made sure that surfing bars containing either laptops or iPads were available to them as well as stations where they can work comfortably seated.
Principal Jad Deegan also speaks to the importance of how the school’s technology supports pedagogy including student research and collaboration among students. The library’s new arrangement of movable furniture combined with areas for work on computers or iPads is suited to the teaching and learning taking place at Macdonald High School.
The film is a wonderful example of how principal support for a library learning commons and the need for both print and digital materials can be essential components in student learning.
