blog number three

There's a lot to consider when reflecting on this weeks' topic. I think that there isn't one hard and fast answer when considering how students search for information. I grew up without the internet and so it was easy to use print sources. I remember using encyclopedias, the  Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature and bibliographies that had indexes and other ways to find information. It was time consuming, but since it was the only way I never thought too much about it. Now all searching is done online. I guess the google and wiki people are just doing the same background work for today's students that the editors and biographers did for us. I can't say that it is a "bad" or good thing. It is just the way things are done today.
 I am not going to blame students if they want to get their papers done as quickly as possible. If the assignment is nothing more than reproducing words from sources or just copying and pasting text then they would be foolish not to use readily available source such as wikipedia.
   The concern is that students are just taking whatever they read at face value and we know there are real problems with this approach. It also almost assures that the students will not look for opposing or alternative viewpoints and that means they won't become involved with the subject or learn to think for themselves. I think that if the assignment doesn't give the student a chance to think about what they are doing it probably isn't worth doing. This is an unfortunate result of the get it done for a grade culture and that is not likely to change.
  Almost  all of my experience on a daily basis is with older people who are really looking for information that they are going to use to enrich their own lives. I try to end the search with an offer to look for more information on a subject and at least offer a chance to ask us for further assistance if the book or article isn't what they need. Even adults are a little hesitant to do very much online research and prefer books or magazines.
 I am much more proactive with younger students and I almost always recommend at least one book on the topic. Younger students like to look at pictures and if the information in the text is presented in an attractive way they usually like to take the book(s) with them. We have some good websites such as World Book and Facts on File so we can offer a lot online for students up to high school level. I am pleased when I see teacher who makes at least one or more books and two other sources as a requirement for the assignment
  In the end library staff and the schools have to work together to make sure that students go beyond the google and wiki experience. I like having interaction with the school teachers and librarians and it seems that we always know when it is science fair time or the California Missions assignment are due. I don't think that it is a lost cause and I still see students using the library when they are doing research papers and long term assignments