What I already knew...that I love learning, reading, researching and being curious about everything.
What I learned...you need to stay current and open minded about all types of reference resources.
What I wonder, still need to learn...I wonder how much Internet research is going to change over the next few years and how am I ever going to catch up and then stay ahead?
Monday, 9 April 2012
It's a book...
Taking this course has helped me open my eyes to the challenges and limitations of reference resources. What I have really learnt is that balance is the key. We have to work with what we have in our reference section in the library and with the digital resources we are offered by our school/district. If our budget allows more, then we are very lucky.
I have been reading books to the Grade 6/7 students that encourages them to think critically and make their own connections. I have been trying to encourage them to think critically about technology in particular. I recently read them Goodnight ipad by Ann Droid and It's a book by Lane Smith. They liked them, but they also needed lots of prompting and a little help making some of the connections. As much as I want to value all reference materials, they are not all made equally and I need to teach that every day to staff and students.
I have been thinking about a comment that Anne made on one of the articles I chose for the first assignment, the article implied that students where at an advantage in this technologically driven world, and she strongly disagreed. When I really thought about it and when working with students one-on-one on any research project, I realized that students are pretty misguided when using the internet or search engines. The skills that we encourage when looking through non-fiction or reference books should still apply for any kind of search engine. Find and filter until you find valid accurate information that answers your question.
I will always strive for balance and accuracy, because no one should need to be told 'It's a book Jackass.'
Droid, Ann. Goodnight ipad: a parody for the next generation. Blue Rider Press. 2011
Smith, Lane. It's a book. Roaring Press. 2010
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/InvisibleWeb.html
I have been reading books to the Grade 6/7 students that encourages them to think critically and make their own connections. I have been trying to encourage them to think critically about technology in particular. I recently read them Goodnight ipad by Ann Droid and It's a book by Lane Smith. They liked them, but they also needed lots of prompting and a little help making some of the connections. As much as I want to value all reference materials, they are not all made equally and I need to teach that every day to staff and students.
I have been thinking about a comment that Anne made on one of the articles I chose for the first assignment, the article implied that students where at an advantage in this technologically driven world, and she strongly disagreed. When I really thought about it and when working with students one-on-one on any research project, I realized that students are pretty misguided when using the internet or search engines. The skills that we encourage when looking through non-fiction or reference books should still apply for any kind of search engine. Find and filter until you find valid accurate information that answers your question.
I will always strive for balance and accuracy, because no one should need to be told 'It's a book Jackass.'
Droid, Ann. Goodnight ipad: a parody for the next generation. Blue Rider Press. 2011
Smith, Lane. It's a book. Roaring Press. 2010
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/InvisibleWeb.html
Grey Literature
I had no idea this existed and I am so intrigued to research more about it. How exciting to know that there is so much more to the Internet then meets the eye! I am sure that some of the content and databases are pretty specialized to some degree, but I want to investigate further anyways. I like how the Berkeley article says to start with wikipedia 'deep web', always such a good starting point when researching!
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Managing Reference Resources
Reference resources are such a tricky topic for me. Before taking any LIBE courses, I assumed that I would learn to use and teach others about the importance of using reference resources. However, since taking this class, I have had to rethink my assumptions about print resources. I had many false assumptions about being a TL in general, but I never thought that students and teachers would not even touch print reference resources. To be quite honest I do not blame them. My reference collection is at the front of the library and it is on its own shelf. It is well organized and very visible. However, I do not think this will help its use. I have a variety of encyclopedia sets as well, meaning there is some money that has been put into the collection. Officially I give up on print resources. I will still encourage staff and students to use the set of Worldbook People and Places, the Illustrated Animal Encyclopedias and the Earth and Science collection we have, but I will not be purchasing anymore print resources. The best way I could support the reference section at my school is to purchase a few i-pads that could be used strictly as library reference resources.
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