Hands on, minds on: Using collections and a makerspace to develop literacy for 21st century learners
Presentation by: Wendy Traas, Yvonne Dawydiak, Curtis Wiebe
Session E | 11:05 – 11:45 | Room 202
Abstract:
For 21st century learners what does it mean to be literate? Can we design collaborations that connect learners meaningfully with the unique spaces, resources, and people in our libraries? The goal of this workshop is for participants to consider how to develop engaging and immersive library and classroom experiences using a learning stations model and incorporating a makerspace.
In our session, a UBC education librarian and UBC technology integration facilitator will discuss how a makerspace and learning stations approach promotes the development of core competencies from BC’s revised curriculum. We will share our experiences of how hands-on, minds-on activities in a pop-up makerspace can develop the dispositions that set the stage for effective information literacy development from both an academic and school library perspective. In addition, we will share illustrations and insights from a 2014 UBC alumnus who is now an elementary school teacher librarian.
Through discussion and participation in hands-on activities at a series of learning stations, participants will investigate and reflect on how making activities can encourage critical inquiry, creative thinking, and communication. Participants will have a chance to experiment with a variety of plugged and unplugged activities, including using augmented reality technology to interactively explore a library collection. Participants will gain an experiential understanding of how teachers and teacher librarians might collaborate in a learning commons context to inspire an open, curious, and self-directed disposition in their students.
