At the beginning of the academic year the Gabfest’s club session ("Window on America" Dnipropetrovsk / Ukraine) was dedicated to the topic of “Lifelong Learning”.
We started with the analysis of the so-called “soft skills”. Soft skills have more to do with who we are than what we know. As such, soft skills encompass the character traits that decide how well one interacts with others, and are usually a definite part of one's personality. Whereas hard skills can be learned
Lifelong learning is defined as learning that is pursued throughout life: learning that is flexible, diverse and available at different times and in different places. Lifelong learning crosses sectors, promoting learning beyond traditional schooling and throughout adult life (ie post-compulsory education).
The new notions were illustrated with YouTube videos. The videos explained what triggered the need for lifelong education and showed funny examples from the modern American life – senior citizens learning to use modern gadgets.
The unofficial part of the session was a conversation with our guests from Australia. The club members asked many questions about life in Australia.
Number of participants – 20 persons.
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“Wednesday Movie Club” at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine.
The film «Deja Vu» (2006) was presented to all who wish to improve their language skills.
Déjà Vu is a 2006 American action thriller film with elements of science fiction, directed by Tony Scott, written by Bill Marsilii and Terry Rossio, and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The film stars Denzel Washington and Paula Patton as the main characters, with Jim Caviezel, Val Kilmer, Adam Goldberg, Bruce Greenwood, and Matt Craven in supporting roles. Déjà Vu involves ATF agent Douglas Carlin, who travels back in time in attempts to prevent a domestic terrorist attack that takes place in New Orleans and to save a woman with whom he falls in love, Claire Kuchever. Filming took place in New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina. The film was nominated for five awards, and won the Golden Reel Award.
WOA’s patrons enjoyed the film and the discussion that followed.
The information-resource center «Window on America» presented a book & image display «Be active! Become a tourist!».
The display showcases the US issued guide books and illustrations that tell the viewers about attractive tourist destinations in the USA. The beauty of nature, the beauty of the great American cities, and the beauty of the people living there – all this will be presented to the WOA’s visitors.
Library patrons may virtually explore the tourist attractions of the USA and read about them in detail.
Today’s session of the Gabfest Club ("Window on America" (Dnipropetrovsk / Ukraine) was dedicated to the 24th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence.
Our US volunteer Mr. Jason came to congratulate the Club members with this important holiday. His presence allowed the group to demonstrate their knowledge of patriotic symbols and explain them to the foreigner. We have discussed the basic attributes of an independents state: the coat of arms and a national flag, national anthem. Each attribute was illustrated with a relevant video or image. The club members were encouraged to explain the symbolism behind the attributes as well as other controversies. Some artifacts of Ukrainian decorative art where used to provide the topic for conversation about folk art. The modern tradition of celebrating Independence Day was also discussed.
Our surprise guests from Australia Mrs. Irina and Mr. Eric joined the conversation as well. They were given an insight into the Independence Day traditions in Ukraine.
The second part of the session was dedicated to the Australian guests’ presentation. We were told about the national symbols of Australia and their meanings. The Club members put numerous questions to the guests about Australia.
The session was educational for all the participants.
Number of participants – 23 persons.
“Wednesday Movie Club” at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine.
The film “The Truth about Cats & Dogs” was presented to all who wish to improve their language skills.
The Truth About Cats & Dogs is a 1996 American romantic comedy film directed by directed by Michael Lehmann and starring Janeane Garofalo, Uma Thurman, Ben Chaplin and Jamie Foxx. It was written by Audrey Wells. The original music score was composed by Howard Shore. The film is a romantic comedy in the style of Cyrano de Bergerac, where two women date the same man, resulting in large explosions in their friendship
WOA’s patrons enjoyed the film and the discussion that followed.
Семінар-тренінг для керівників WOA.
Керівник інформаційно-ресурсного центру «Вікно в Америку» Світлана Усенко брала участь у семінарі «Американські центри в Україні: креативні програми, нові технології, ефективний менеджмент», що відбувся за підтримки Посольства США в Україні у м. Київ.
Вона знайомилася з діяльністю, креативними програми та інноваційній ними технологіями Американського Дому, Національної бібліотеки для дітей, бібліотеки Гете-інституту та Американської бібліотеки Національного Університету «Києво-Могилянська Академія». Світлана Усенко звітувала перед колегами про реалізований в ДОУНБ інноваційний проект «Американська мистецька вітальня у Дніпропетровську», яким було охоплено більше ніж 1000 учнів, студентів і відвідувачів бібліотеки.
Корисним було дізнатися про відкриття електронного читального залу в Одеській науковій бібліотеці з використанням технології «тонкий клієнт», побачити зразки сучасного бібліотечного дизайну, всіх учасників семінару вразив піар-розголос молодіжного проекту «Вікна в Америку на велосипедах», про який дізналася вся Україна з випуску новин ТСН каналу 1+1, якісно і ефективно було реалізовано проект «Читаємо Хемінгуея» у Кіровограді, всіх здивував новий гаджет – електронний інтерактивний стіл у Херсоні, який полюбила молодь.
Новим напрямком діяльності центрів «Вікно в Америку» стала необхідність впровадження 3D-технологій – на порядку денному придбання 3D-принтерів і створення «Творчого простору» / Makerspace в українських бібліотеках.
At the WOA ("Window on America" (Dnipropetrovsk / Ukraine) the “Gabfest” Club President Mrs. Larissa Karnoza prepared and presented a training session, the topic was "Wedding traditions in Ukraine and the United States."
Participants watched the illustrative videos, read and translated articles on weddings, remembered the weddings they attended, some shared their dreams about own wedding ceremonies.
The meeting was ethnographical and educational at the same time; everyone present has enriched the vocabulary, activated language skills, had fun and enjoyed the interesting topic.
Number of participants – 19 persons.
“Wednesday Movie Club” at Window on America center Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine.
The film «Ocean's Eleven» (2001) was presented to all who wish to improve their language skills.
Ocean's Eleven is a 2001 American comedy heist film and the remake of the 1960 Rat Pack film of the same name. The 2001 film was directed by Steven Soderbergh and features an ensemble cast including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Andy García, and Julia Roberts. The film was a success at the box office and with critics.
Plot: Danny Ocean and his eleven accomplices plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.
WOA’s patrons enjoyed the film and the discussion that followed.
