Daily Archives: December 21, 2008

DRAFT for review Learning Commons Mission

DRAFT for review Learning Commons Mission

In support of UMass Dartmouth’s academic mission, the Learning Commons creates and cultivates a vibrant, welcoming and integrated learner-centered environment.

We will do so by promoting an environment and support team that

  • inspires learners and fosters learning as an activity
  • embodies and supports engagement & collaboration for individual & group work
  • champions and supports the research process from search and discovery to synthesis and presentation.
  • provides easily accessible and adaptable physical spaces and resources
  • excels at providing rich technological facilities, instruction, and support
  • maximizes individual and group productivity by integrating scholarly information support services and information literacy instruction

Learning Commons – Committee Charge

The UMass Dartmouth Learning Commons (LC) Planning Committee will develop plans for the services, technology, resources, and space for the LC on the first and second floors of the Claire T. Carney Library. The LC will be an interdisciplinary collaborative learning space that will provide seamless access to resources, technology, and people to support teaching, learning, and research. The LC will advance the University mission to be “actively engaged in personalized teaching and innovative research” and will help to fulfill the University’s vision of “providing a personalized academic environment where the scholarly research and creative activities of faculty and graduate students are interwoven with the undergraduate experience.” It will also advance the vision of providing “enhanced technological capabilities for the delivery of our educational and outreach programs.” As an integrated environment that fosters engagement, collaboration, and discovery, the LC will meet the changing and emerging needs of teaching, learning, and scholarship at UMass Dartmouth.

The Committee will consider the following questions:

  • What are the learning styles and preferences of today’s high school and college students and faculty?
  • What type of environment will foster learning at UMass Dartmouth, given changing learning styles and preferences?
  • What staffing, technology, and space are necessary to create this environment?
  • What LC programs would foster this environment?
  • Should the scope of the LC include faculty and staff learning?
  • Which campus units might be involved, and how might they work together?
  • Is it necessary for these campus units to be physically located in the same space to be effective together?
  • What kinds of hardware, software, and seating configurations are needed?
  • What staffing is needed in terms of qualification, and abilities?
  • What are the issues in accomplishing the ideal LC environment for UMass Dartmouth?
  • How can these issues be resolved?
  • How should we measure the LC’s success?