At the Learning Exchange, patrons and UBC students come together to discover something new.

It’s a familiar feeling for Learning Exchange workshop participants where both patrons and students come together to discover something new.

Human Diversity

Fourth-year students Lena Yuen and Michelle Leong recently facilitated a workshop called “Deconstructing Cultural Stereotypes” and found that pushing outside the zone can be a great way to gain new perspectives. They say learners offered fresh insights that differed from their own more standard, academic viewpoints.

Connecting with the Learning Exchange through the UBC-Community Learning Initiative (UBC-CLI) Trek Program, the duo brainstormed with LE staff to create a six-week workshop that reflected their majors in Psychology and History. With encouragement and planning support from the Learning Exchange, the two students structured sessions where patrons could explore the psychology of stereotyping. And they could talk about how cultural stereotyping was relevant in their everyday lives.

“The most enlightening part of the whole experience was that we learned as much from participants as they did from us,” says Michelle. “We offered academic concepts which patrons enriched with their experiences. Sometimes our own perspectives were changed.”

“We took a risk and gained some skills,” adds Lena. “But most importantly the experience strengthened our values on respecting human diversity.”

Inspiring Enthusiasm

“French Fries” was the tasty title of a language workshop facilitated by Elrica, another Psychology student and Trek Program participant. (She and Lena were completing placements for credit in Sessional Lecturer Tom Ehman’s PSYC 420 Community Psychology course.)

“I had no idea what I wanted to do at the Learning Exchange,” she says. “I do have some knowledge of French but I am not fluent. So I was nervous, but I thought the workshop was something I could do.”

To prepare for the sessions, she sat in on a Learning Exchange ESL workshop and borrowed the idea of jumping right into conversations—getting people to start taking right away.  She knew an interactive element was important so participants wouldn’t be “knee-deep in grammatical rules.”  The sessions also allowed patrons to ask about French culture or bring a video to view.

“It was hard at the beginning when I had no way of knowing whether I was doing it ‘right,’” says Elrica. “But I definitely got my answer at the end when everyone was thanking me.”

But that wasn’t the only highlight.

“I learned there’s really no limit to the variety of people who live in the Downtown Eastside. I also learned everyone has so much enthusiasm for learning and trying new things. I found myself wishing I had half that enthusiasm – it inspired me.”

Open Minds

Analyzing and evaluating information – critical thinking – was the focus of a workshop facilitated by Theo, a fourth-year Engineering student and third-year Anthropology major Sean Coady.

The concept for “Critical Discourse” was sparked by one of Sean’s courses.

“My contemporary social problems class was changing my paradigm on many things and I hoped to share that experience, “he says. “I thought the ideas would be great to bring to another audience.”

The group looked at topics ranging from border politics to drug trafficking and the war on terror. In addition, patrons could raise subjects they wanted to explore. Everyone was encouraged to analyze their own thinking and be open to other points of view.

The two had some experience, having coordinated a series of digital photography sessions at the Learning Exchange in 2012. But there were still some challenges.

Laszlo Szemak and third-year Anthropology major Sean Coady, exchange ideas through critical discourse.

“The intimidating part was making sure no one was excluded and helping more soft-spoken participants to be comfortable speaking their minds.”

Learning Exchange staff debriefed with Sean and Theo after sessions and sometimes joined in the drop-in discussions themselves.

“Many of the people in our group were extremely knowledgeable, particularly regarding history, politics and economics,” says Theo.

“When everyone was there with open minds to learn and to share, those were the times I felt I gained the most from the experience,” adds Sean.

With two semesters of facilitating under their belts, both students feel more confident in their skills. They say it was both fun and satisfying to start with just an idea and bring it to fruition.

As Sean says, “It was very refreshing to hear some different opinions and also put some of what I was learning at UBC to work. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Sign-up: June 5th, 9:30am

Workshop Times: Thursday mornings, June 13th – June 27th, from 9:30 – 11:30am

Cost: Free

Where: UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main Street

More Info: For details phone 604.408.5164 or click here.

Registration for our advanced Computer Skills Workshop is done on a first come, first served basis. Classes are 3 weeks in length and are held on Thursday mornings.

Angela Towle

Envisioning possibilities is what’s keeping Angela Towle busy these days.

Newly appointed as the Learning Exchange’s first Academic Director, Angela is looking at how the Learning Exchange can help broaden the connection between the University and the Downtown Eastside (DTES).

“I feel passionate about the idea of an exchange – how different kinds of knowledge and experience create possibilities that can make things happen, things that otherwise might never take place,” she says.

A member of the UBC Faculty of Medicine since 1995, Angela has specialized in university-community engagement for more than 25 years at UBC and in the UK.  In addition to her work at the Learning Exchange, she is also involved in bringing patient and community “voices” into education programs for health professionals as Co-Director of the Division of Health Care Communication in UBC’s College of Health Disciplines. Bringing the university and the community together has showed her some of the practical challenges in communicating and reducing barriers. But the results are well worth the effort, she says.

“I’ve seen how transformative these exchanges can be – they really do make a difference.”

That experience will be reflected in her new role. She will seek perspectives and ideas from both the community and the university to help develop an Academic Plan that outlines how the Learning Exchange can better serve as an academic resource.  Some of the ways it can support faculty include serving as an entry point into the community; providing a tailored student experience in the DTES; bringing people together for research collaborations; and providing a venue for sharing research findings and knowledge transfer.

In addition, the Learning Exchange “keeps a finger on the pulse” of the DTES and can offer additional understanding about how to work effectively in this community.

But before she can look at new possibilities, Angela needs to find out what’s already going on. That’s why she is bringing together a team to map out – for the first time – the many UBC activities taking place in the DTES community. These range from legal clinics to Aboriginal health research projects to working with children at Strathcona School, to name but a few.

The mapping is a systematic approach to help identify where opportunities are, she says. Her own community work may make it possible for UBC health sciences students to meet with Learning Exchange patrons to trade ideas on improving health and health care in the DTES.

“Shaping our academic future will be an evolving process,” she says. “The Downtown Eastside is a dynamic place – it’s always changing and those changes will bring new opportunities for faculty involvement and community collaborations. There are so many possibilities here – it’s a very exciting place to be.”

If you have ideas or questions for Angela, she may be reached at angela.towle@ubc.ca.

Dr. Towle is an Associate Professor in the Dept. of Medicine and Senior Scholar in the Centre for Health Education Scholarship in the Faculty of Medicine. In addition to her role in the College of Health Disciplines, she served from 2002-2010 as Associate Dean, MD Undergraduate Education, Curriculum and Vancouver Fraser Medical Program and was part of the leadership team that implemented the expansion and distribution of the medical school.

Sign-up: May 28th – May 31st, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Workshop Times:  June 11th – July 16th, Tuesday mornings, 9:30 – 11:30am

Cost:  Free

Where:  UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main Street

More Info:  For details phone 604.408.5164 or click here.

Registration for our Basic Computer Skills Workshop is done by lottery. Classes are 6 weeks in length and are held on Tuesday mornings. 

First, to find out what kind of videos would be useful to computer beginners, the students assisted in a Basic Computer Skills workshop, learning firsthand from the participants what they most needed to practice and review.

Throughout their week of getting involved in the Learning Exchange, the students were surprised and impressed to learn that they weren’t just here to help – they also learned from workshop participants and IT Facilitators. The IT Facilitators found it “very cool” to develop their skills alongside the students, too.   An idea they all picked up is the importance of patience: paying attention to the process of a project rather than focusing on just getting it done leads to a better learning experience for all.   To see a sample of the videos created, click here.

On January 30th, the Learning Exchange hosted the Downtown Eastside Literacy Roundtable’s “Sharing and Supporting Ideas on Adult Learning in Our Community”: Downtown Eastside Volunteer Tutor/Facilitator Conference.

The conference, which was attended by over 60 community members, covered a wide range of topics from “First Nations Ways of Learning in City Life” to “Identifying Strengths in Learners”.   Topics were presented by a diverse mix of education professionals and local volunteers.  In all there were 12 small group discussion sessions and 3 keynote presentations.  The Learning Exchange presented two topics: “Contributing Through Computers: Practical Ways to Tackle the Digital Divide” and “Back to Basics: Resources for Online Learning”.   The conference provided volunteer tutors, facilitators and educators working in the Downtown Eastside an excellent opportunity to connect, learn from each other and celebrate their contributions to literacy in the Downtown Eastside.

All it took was connections.

Jasmine, recently arrived in Vancouver from Taiwan, had checked with another transit rider to make sure she was getting on the right bus. The woman noticed Jasmine was having some difficulty with English. Once they got bus numbers sorted out, the woman brought Jasmine to the Learning Exchange and helped her enroll in ESL conversation workshops.
Meanwhile, Ian Savage had connected with the Community Arts Council of Vancouver (CACV).

Formerly a professional artist with paintings exhibited in London’s distinguished Tate Gallery, the 66-year-old had not painted in many years. But soon after moving to Vancouver, Ian dusted off his brushes and got to work. He participated in CACV’s Let’s Net, a series of technical skills and networking sessions for artists. Through a space-sharing agreement, the CACV series is held at the Learning Exchange.

“We have many talented artists but few financial and space resources,” says Mary Bennett, Program Consultant at CACV. “So we help people get connected and hope they’ll take the next steps.”

Ian had mentioned he might contribute to the local arts community by teaching. Bennett connected him with the Learning Exchange which was hoping to develop an art course for local residents. After a few meetings a cartooning class was launched with Ian as peer instructor. Jasmine signed up as a learner.

But unlike other participants, she had a special reason for joining the class – she wanted to pass along what she learned to her young son, Kevin. She hoped a new skill might give him the self-esteem he badly needed.

In Taiwan, Kevin’s Asperger’s syndrome – a form of autism that affects language and behaviour development in children – made him the target of bullying by classmates and teachers. With little support for kids with special needs, Jasmine and her husband made a tough decision. She and Kevin would move to Canada to get the help he needed and her husband would join the family as soon as he could.

Nervous in her first class, Jasmine found Ian to be a non-judgmental and encouraging teacher and was surprised by her own talent. The environment he created made her want to be better “from her heart” – quite a change from her harshly competitive school days in Taiwan.

Jasmine soon confided her plan to teach her son and got Ian’s support and advice. It turns out Kevin and cartooning were made for each other. Quickly progressing from pencil drawings of animals, the young artist now uses pastels to draw scenes of Taiwan.

“He has discovered a treasure,” says his mother. “He is calmer and happier now that he can express himself. And he feels confident knowing he can do something well.”

Ian is thrilled to be part of the boy’s success.

“I reached out to this child I may never meet and was a catalyst for his learning,” he says. “I thought that was beyond my realm – even at my age I have learned something about myself.”

Bennett says these connections are typical of the Downtown Eastside.

“People share resources and accept each other as important contributors – as neighbours we can help each other out.”

Sign-up:  February 19-22, 1:00pm-5:00pm

Workshop Times:  March 5 – April 9, Tuesday mornings

Cost:  Free

Where:  UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main Street

More Info:  For details phone 604.408.5164 or click here.

When:   Every Wednesday January 23rd to February 27th, 9:30–11:30 am

Register: Call the front desk at 604.408.5164

Cost: Free

Where: UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main Street

More Info: For details phone 604.408.5164

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When:  Monday, December 3rd, 1:30 – 3:30 pm

Register: Call the front desk at 604.408.5164

Cost: Free

Where: UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main Street

More Info: For details phone 604.408.5164