Print vs Electronic Reference Resources

Technology is part of most people’s lives whether they own a computer, cell phone with all the apps, or ipods and other gadgets being marketed today. Many of these technologies offer the ability to go on the internet which both adults and students are accessing for information. It is an important part of the TL’s jobs to prepare students so they can evaluate the onslaught of information, choosing what is relevant and accurate for their use.

Many students are using both print as well as electronic sources when researching, at times, as their primary sources or vice versa. This is happening as low as grade two and three students.

I can’t help but think that additional electronic reference sources would be a great benefit to the students and the staff. We do not have a district wide purchase of databases for schools, each school is responsible for buying their own. This presents difficulties as I struggle to justify the large cost involved. The reason I struggle with the electronic resource purchase of a {ie} Culture Grams program is, it is basically used by one teacher only, most years. The opposite of this is, the print Culture Grams we have available are probably from the late nineties and we all know the changes that have occurred in nations and borders over the last ten to twelve years, making most of this information outdated. Even though the student’s research is supplemented by some newer books and internet based searching, do I make this purchase of several hundred dollars a year a budget focus, or do I leave it as is.

Looking at Tina’s advantages and disadvantages I am beginning to rethink my focus of print and really look carefully at acquiring certain electronic resources which can be updated regularly such as our encyclopedias, atlases and almanacs. They also come with multimedia advantages which appeal to many students. We must have a few print copies of these resources for use, as I don’t think all of us are totally drawn to electronic resources, especially when technology doesn’t work properly or some students are frustrated when using the electronic version. We also have to acknowledge, some of the students can’t always read and understand the electronic information. Continuing to use both, allows the TL to find materials at a variety of levels to meet the needs of all the students we work with on a daily basis.