Elkhart elementary transforms library into hands-on learning center
ELKHART — A school library is usually a place where students can find a book, read it there or check out. But that's changed for an Elkhart elementary school.
At Mary Daly Elementary, the library has undergone a transformation, allowing students to get hands-on learning with computers and technology.
When you walk into the library at Mary Daly Elementary, you immediately notice that something is different.
There are still many books, but there is a new look, feel, and layout.
It’s now known as the learning commons.
"The idea behind it was to change the mind set of what a library could be for students,” said Media Services Coordinator Tara White. “We wanted it to become a multi-function area.”
She helped oversee the change to add activities that incorporated technology, computer science and coding.
Monday, second graders were using an iPad to give commands to robots to move around the room.
“Research shows us that when kids are engaged in learning, that's when they really start to get it, and so these opportunities for them to be hands on to collaborate, work in teams, work on projects,” White said.
“They don't even know that they are learning,” said librarian Megan Haas. “Through that robot activity, where they are up and moving around, they are engaging with technology. They are becoming problem solvers and learning things they are going to be able to take into the future.”
The learning center at Mary Daily Elementary, is the first of its kind to go in an elementary in the Elkhart school system. It happened with the help of the Elkhart Education Foundation. Plans call for this concept to go into their other 13 elementaries in the district.
