BukSU eyes 2nd Learning Commons

MALAYBALAY CITY (IPS) Bukidnon State University is renovating the University Library’s roof top into a Learning Commons, its second since 2016.

Renovation of the area has been completed on February 28, 2019 but the schedule of opening will be in early 2020.

BukSUʾs first Learning Commons, launched on August 15, 2016, is the first Learning Commons among SUCs in Northern Mindanao. It is located at the 1st floor of the same building.

Learning Commons, also referred to as information commons, are learning spaces that offer increased availability and accessibility of information, facilitate new ways of teaching and learning, and integrates essential

services such as computer workstations, individual and collaborative learning spaces, maker spaces, discussion/ presentation rooms, cafes and lounge areas.

The main reason for opening another Learning Commons is to increase the seating capacity of the University Library, said Ms. Chanfrani Yves E. Estrada, Libraries Supervisor. CHED Memorandum Order No. 48, Section 3.8, No. 5 stated that the Library must be able to accommodate 15 to 20 percent of student population in one setting. Moreover, the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) also required the Library to have a reading room that can accommodate at least 10 percent of the school enrollment at any given time.

Learning Commons II is also BukSU Library’s response to the changes and advances in technology. To stay relevant in today’s time, the Library must also change in order to provide students with digital and multimedia learning resources other than books, Ms. Estrada added. These resources may include computers with internet, tablets, Wi-Fi connection, online databases, CD-ROMS, among others.

According to the plan, Learning Commons II is designed to be a convenient place for providing students with a wide range of services that promotes success in student learning.

Since the launching of the Learning Commons I, the library saw a need to add more and bigger discussion rooms given that a lot of students and faculty are utilizing it as venue for their oral defense, consultations, discussions/ collaborations, dubbing and video recording, tutorial, and group study.

At present, there are only two discussion rooms in the Learning Commons I, which can only accommodate a maximum of 10 persons each. (With a report from Ms. Chandrani Yves E. Estrada / University Libraries)

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