Learning is Social: AASL Common Belief

[Laura Brooks]

Hi All,

I am writing an article for Knowledge Quest's 2009 AASL Conference issue. The issue is themed on the Nine Common Beliefs that form the framework for the new information literacy standards. I am focusing on:

Learning has a social context.
Learning is enhanced by opportunities to share and learn with others.  Students need to develop skills to share knowledge and to learn with others, both in face-to-face situations and through technology.

Specifically, I'd like to know:

1) Are you implementing the student assessment techniques discussed in the standards? If so, what assessment strategy is working? e.g. rubric, student log, etc.

2) Are you designing projects with social learning as a goal?

3) Do you feel that students are gaining or building toward a mastery of social learning? In other words, they're learning the importance of social interaction in the learning process, not merely how to use social collaboration or technology tools like PowerPoint, wikis, blogs, etc.

4) Do you feel students are more active in their own learning through using social technology tools? Are they choosing their own tools for presenting and sharing information/knowledge or is it mainly librarian and teacher directed?


Please let me know that I may quote you or refer to your experiences by including your full name, position, and e-mail address. I have a short lead time, so I need to gather all responses by Tuesday, January 6th.

Please see the AASL link for a review of standards.

Thank you for your participation.

Laura Brooks
Library Media Specialist
Northville Public Schools
Northville, MI
[e-mail]