Module 1 is done!

I have finished working my way through Module 1 of LIBE 467 and am preparing to submit the URL for this blog as the second part of Assignment #1.

So . . . what have I learned so far about reference materials?

Previous to this course, I haven't really spent a lot of time thinking about reference materials in the library.  Right now, the reference section is almost non-existent - I have a few atlases, dictionaries and thesauruses and that's it!  I actually let the students take out the atlases as they enjoy looking at them and there is no time allotted in my library for research, so they do not get used otherwise.  Many of the dictionaries are old and need to be weeded.  I do purchase many non-fiction materials that are tied in with curriculum for various grades and subjects - teachers will usually take these out of the library and back to their class when doing a research project.  I am still not certain if these are considered to be reference materials.  In terms of online materials, my district subscribes to World Book Online and that's it.  I have created bookmarks for the Canadian Encyclopedia and other free sites such as DMOZ and Fact Monster for students as well.  I have also created small digital libraries for classes that contain links to relevant websites on a subject.

I now have a much better understanding of what kinds of books/databases are included in the area of reference materials and how to select these types of resources.  I will use the handy evaluation matrix created by Jody to evaluate reference materials for the library - how great that all that information is in one place!  I have also learned a great deal about research models - something that I did not formally know previously.  I need to take some time to further study the research models - I think I will focus on the Points of Inquiry model of the BCTLA, trying it will a class next year to see how it goes.  I have also continued thinking about information literacy - what it is, how to promote it, how to integrated it into classes at my school, how to get teachers to "buy in."  Ultimately, information literacy should be one of the main goals for all teachers - students need to know how to find the information they need.  Much of what we teach students at school is learning how to learn and making brain connections - that is info lit!

So . . . what else am I looking to learn in this class?  More specifics about all these reference materials - how many options should I have available for students.  What are some more great free sites to point my students to?  What print reference materials should we absolutely have in the library?  And of course, more ideas on how to bridge that gap to move from helping to collaborating with my collegues!