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