“learning groups” in which participants collaboratively construct personal meaning
content studied is the most important factor in college students being successful.3
school libraries also fit the description of a “third place”-
specially before and after school. Allowing gaming, research on topics of personal
learning ‘commons” i
the place, either physical or virtual, that is the hub of the school where exemplary teaching and learning are show cased; where all professional development, teaching and learning experimentation and action research happens; and where various specialists of the school have offices, physical or virtual.5
schools with good library programs are more successful than those without, v
"caffolding Culture
How are you building a culture of collaboration in your classroom? Teachers should not forget the importance of scaffolding the skills needed for students to work in groups. Paired with a good collaboration rubric, where students know what is expected of them in terms of behavior, teachers need to scaffold skills such consensus building, effective communication, and the ability to critique. Educators need to explicitly teach and assess collaboration, a critical 21st century skill, if they want their group work to be productive."