Prestonsburg High School is moving away from traditional library services. A committee of students and faculty met and redesigned the existing facility to transform it into a full-service learning, research, and project space that has a flexible environment built to accommodate multiple learning activities and provide a participatory culture that will allow for Next Generation education.
The school library was a traditional research and reading centered area. However, grades 9-11 are now part of Floyd County Schools 1-1 digital conversion initiative. By the 2017-18 school year, grades 9-12 will all be involved in the technology strategy . It was necessary to shift the library to a digital learning center and to provide various spaces to support diverse learning and teaching styles. An energizing environment where students can engage in an array of learning activities is being created.
The renovation plans became a reality when Media Specialist Jamie Adams received an Appalachia Renaissance Initiative grant from Kentucky Valley Education Cooperative. The grant, which provides funding as the catalyst for educational change, along with additional support from Superintendent Dr. Henry Webb and Floyd County board member Linda Gearheart, have assisted with the implementation of innovative ideas to accommodate 21st Century learning.
What does the modern library look like? The latest technologies are being implemented and spaces developed for individual and collaborative learning. The media center will house the following components: production studio with stage, collaborative semi-private study spaces, genius bar, the cafe, creative think tank, open classroom space, and e-books.
The newly designed PHS Learning Commons will be open and welcoming to everyone. The facility will be a place where students and staff can read, explore,produce, collaborate and create products to help solve problems and enrich the curricular needs of all students. The redesigning of space will afford a personalized learning environment as well as an intellectual hub laboratory for learning. As effective teachers and leaders of PHS utilize new ways of teaching and learning, the percentage of students being college and career ready will increase.
Authored by Jamie Adams, Media Specialist
Prestonsburg High School
