It is an exciting time in education and we are embracing new curriculum in British Columbia that allows students to take ownership of their own learning. It is a child-centred learning approach that encourages students to have voice and choice. Learning opportunities can be created around student interests, which better engages students in active learning and skill building.
When students start a project or want to research a topic, the school library is the go-to place. Students gather resources on a certain topic as well as read and find books to take home for further reading. Traditionally the library has been a place that houses paper-based material, however libraries now offer online resources as well.
Libraries continue to be a cornerstone of learning and foster a lifelong connection to knowledge. Stories have been shared via drawings (initially in caves), stone tablets, papyrus scrolls, orally, handwritten codices and manuscripts, printed books, and digital formats such as audio-books and text. As writing mediums evolve due to technology advancements, so do libraries. Through the Internet, the walls of the library have been extended. Now, both students and teachers have access to a vast number of learning resources both in paper and digital media.
Students learn better in a social setting where they communicate their learning to one another and work on activities together. Therefore, it is not a surprise that libraries are reinventing themselves to be considered learning commons. In a learning commons space, students are invited to discuss project ideas, research material, tinker with hands-on learning materials, and explore literature to read or listen to.
With the new curriculum, students and teachers need greater access to learning resources to support inquiry. The Digmore site is intended to support teachers in implementing new curriculum and for students to explore areas of interest. A digital learning commons like Digmore is an extension of a school learning commons. Students can access digital resources and material to dig deeper into content and acquire knowledge relevant to their inquiry.
Established around 295 BC, the Library of Alexandria housed approximately 700,000 papyrus scrolls and was intended to be a universal library until fire ravaged the perishable collection. Because of the internet, the idea of creating a “universal” archive of material is being realized. Nevertheless, while students do have access to the internet, it is important to guide them in how to safely find digital resources that are suitable for their age or grade. The ERAC bundle of learning materials available in Digmore features sound educational materials that have been curated by educators in the province and are available in multi-formats such as written text, videos, and audio.
School curriculum has been redesigned in British Columbia, so if you are “digging” for more resources to support learning, Digmore is a tool to support your endeavours!
Laurie Petrucci