Teachers' Reactions to Learning Commons in Secondary Schools

This study examined the design of learning commons in three secondary schools as they related to teachers. The frequency and quality of collaboration among teachers, and between teachers and teacher librarians, was measured along with perceptions of engagement, job satisfaction, and design attributes germane to the learning commons model. Teachers at one school responded more positively than those at the other two schools. Significant differences in teachers' reactions to the new spaces were found within each school. This study partly substantiated the benefits of the model. Findings uncover limitations in how learning commons accommodate teachers' professional needs.