Learning resource centers benefit students by supplementing the learning process. They function as a place to introduce, reinforce and expand student learning, and can be school- or community-based. Centers can provide access to learning materials or serve as a peer learning center. There are a various types of learning centers, each geared toward providing students with resources to expand their educational experience.
Enrichment Centers
Enrichment centers are learning resource centers that help to reinforce and extend learning of concepts, skills or topics introduced in the classroom. Not every student will understand a concept right away, so it is important that they have a place where they can go for further help. Enrichment centers can be set up in the classroom and may include a visual display of the information, additional books on the topic, or a step-by-step explanation guide of the concept. Encourage students to utilize the enrichment center by providing time during class for students to review the enrichment materials.
Skill Centers
Skill centers focus on reinforcing essential skills such as reading, writing or math. Learning centers focused around these skills may provide tutors who can help with the skill process, editors who will edit papers and resources such as citation guides, practice worksheets or read-a-long stations. Providing students with a skill-based learning center helps them build confidence in their abilities and allows them to seek out help outside of the classroom if they are stuck.
Interest Centers
Get students involved in learning by providing a resource for them to learn more about their own interests. Interest-based learning centers are important to student learning because they encourage students to pursue their individual interests. Students take responsibility for their own learning at interest learning centers by choosing what they want to study, and how they will study it. Libraries are the most typical form of an interest learning center.
Community Centers
Community learning centers are an important part of the community because they provide a place for students to go for help during non-school hours. Community learning centers can focus on academic or non-academic subjects, from math and reading to basketball and play-acting. According to the U.S.Department of Education, by expanding on academic subjects, community learning centers are especially beneficial to students in high-poverty locations. Providing learning opportunities outside of school is an important part of ensuring their success in the classroom.
