Lorenzo High School's coffee station in the library.

We need to be inclusive of all gender orientations and ethnic/religious groups in our schools.  The library needs to have an all-inclusive collection of books and other media. I find pinkbooks useful

Any guidelines about what can be accessed on the net? Can they play games?

Many libraries have now opened a social reading area where one can grab a cup of coffee, sit relax and read.  What are your thoughts on creating a cafe your library?

Carnegie Research Commons in the JS Gericke Library at Stellenbosch University.

How to behave appropriately and responsibly online, to stay safe and to create a positive personal profile are skills that are very topical in educational discussion.

Awareness of the consequences of online behaviour 

respect privacy and personal information – your own and others

select appropriate spaces to work in and contribute to

encourage appropriate, ethical and responsible internet use

 be proactive about inappropriate online behaviour

actively create a positive digital presence and be proud of all you put online

We are preparing pupils for both their working lives and their personal lives by teaching skills of communication, collaboration, research, independent learning and networking. Many current vocations include the integrated use of technology and it could be argued that technology has become integral to everyday communication. Schools spend significant portions of their budgets on monitoring, limiting or restricting access to certain technologies or Internet usage. In many ways, while appreciating school liability and safety concerns, restricting access to technology creates a false environment and limits the development of those skills required for 21st century living and learning. Limiting access to technology reduces pupils’ skills in learning how to behave appropriately and keep safe when using technology. 

A colleague recently commented that with education one isn’t sure until significant time has passed as to whether a particular method or technology has been successful or not. We therefore need budget to experiment, to try new things and to keep asking the question as to whether what we do adds educational value. We consider ourselves fortunate indeed to work at a school that has a single rule for the use of technology in the school; it must be used to improve educational outcomes. If pupils choose to use it in other ways then we regard that as a behaviour issue, not a technology issue and we therefore minimise spend in that area.

An online community for information resource centers.

Please leave comments and suggestions. Share your ideas.