Roberta Harris Teacher Librarian

I have never really considered the development of libraries around the world.  Upon researching I came across interesting libraries and services and was inspired by the lengths that people will go to to get books into the hands of others.  Grace Dobush writes an article depicting how “libraries can come in all kinds of creative and unusual forms.”  There are many fascinating examples of how books end up in the hands of readers.  One library is called “the graveyard library” located in a “Jewish cemetery in the Austrian town of Krems an der Donau…the graveyard contains a series of bookshelves [called The Open Library] [which] “consists of three bookshelves in the size and shape of gravestones, with glass doors protecting books in English, German and Hebrew about Jewish philosophy and the history of death”  https://qz.com/773248/libraries/ Dobush (2016) also depicts a “Weapons of Mass Instruction” where “Argentine artist Raul Lemesoff turned a 1979 Ford Falcon into a tank-like” car.  Lem

There are many different directions I could take in recommending or responding to our school's needs regarding information and communication technology (ICT).  Without speaking or collaborating with the staff(since it's Spring Break)  regarding this issue I will focus on what I think based on observation and past practice.   Our school has slowly become more and more technology savvy.  Almost all of the classrooms have Smartboards, computers in the classroom, access to laptops, Chromebooks and I-Pads.  Some of the classrooms use a program called Kurzweill to assist with reading and writing, intermediate students know how to use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to share their learning and children from kindergarten to grade 7 know how to access websites, games and computer programs.   Myself and some of the special education assistants are aware of and use a service called ARC BC where you can access training and the ability to download books and resources to be used with programs

They say "ignorance is bliss."  Wow!  Before working on this project, I had no idea the vast amount of resources and training that  is available to me.   I am interested in 21st-Century learning and integrating STEM/STEAM into my classroom.  I am honestly overwhelmed at the prospect of "self-initiated" projects.  After getting past the hurdles of living in a remote community with limited resources and the lack of professional  development opportunities I realize there are many ways to improve my skills, explore new learning and make new connections.   Upon searching I have found many useful websites and training opportunities.  First, I would work on utilizing the Spiral Playbook to learn how to lead "with an inquiring mindset in school systems and schools" (Canadians for 21st Century Learning and Innovation, 2017). "The Spiral Playbook offers a concise introduction to an evidence-based model of collaborative inquiry"  (p. 7).  Using this resourc