This week we had a mini field trip – to the library! As a child I always enjoyed visiting our local public library. It always felt like such a special treat to go there and get to pick out a book to take home. I could have spent hours and hours in there. My mother always had to drag me out screaming. Unfortunately as a university student my visits to the library became less fun and more academic. My university’s library (we only had one!) was small and dark, a remnant of 1960s constructivist architecture. There were a lot of worn books and precarious-looking book shelves and the whole place smelled musty and old. Silence was not only encouraged but insisted upon.
The UBC Education is completely different. You are allowed to speak and eat. The shelves do contain older academic tomes but there are also so many colourful storybooks to be found. I was especially interested in the Canadian Children’s books. I think it is very important to read Canadian literature for a few reasons. Firstly, it supports Canadian writers and demonstrates to students that they too can be authors. Secondly, it presents Canadian culture and history in a tangible way for children. I foresee myself spending a lot of time in the downstairs section of our library.
During our visit we also got to experience the Maker’s Space. As someone who is not highly knowledgeable about technology, I loved seeing all the ways to incorporate it in our classrooms. I spent quite a lot of time with the button maker and also a little ball that is controlled by directions you give it on an IPhone. As the world become more and more technology-centric I think its critical for educators to learn how to use these tools in their own classrooms.
