Development of Communities of Practice in School Library Education: Collaboration Within a Third Space

• In Event: 35.082 - Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: 35.082-8 - Part 1: Library Information Science and Underserved Populations; Part 2: Collaboration

Abstract

The ability to collaborate with other professionals in the educational field is a key disposition of a school librarian (Bush & Jones, 2009). To properly prepare pre-service school librarians, teacher educators in online courses must provide opportunities for collaborative engagement, while recognizing the pedagogical benefit of the organic formation of communities of practice that develop within an established third space, or area outside of content. This study examines the use of several third space constructs. Findings address the conversations and communities of practice among students that emerge from these spaces in an online, introductory school library course.

Authors

• Elizabeth Burns, Old Dominion University

• Jody K. Howard, Old Dominion University

• Sue C. Kimmel, Old Dominion University