Global Quest video reviews II

[Katie Filipowicz <ny001142@MAIL.NYSER.NET>]

Here are the next batch of reviews of the "Global Quest" video.

I know that Steven Hodas has been replying to some of these; if you put
my address in as a "CC:" on your message to him, he includes me in his
replies.

Anyone else who wants to find out what all the discussion is about,
drop me a note with your snailmail address and I'll put your name on a
list. Some of the original routes will be ending soon.

People on the routing lists, please at least let me know when you send
your video on, so I can keep track of where the things are.

%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%^%
              Katie Filipowicz, Library Media Specialist
      Lincoln High School, 375 Kneeland Ave., Yonkers, NY 10704
Phone: (914) 376-8392               Internet: ny001142@mail.nyser.net

--------------------

  I viewed the video last night with my husband and my mother-in-law.
Both thought it was a) very elemental and geared to someone who knows
nothing about Internet; b) boring; c) repetitive.  From my view
(colored by the LM_NET discussions) I did not see the library-
negatives. I do think that we in the field are somewhat "paranoid"
about our image. I showed it to my 3 library paraprofessionals.  They
thought it was very basic, not too informative about the how -- they
wanted to see an actual demonstration.  They did not see that the
library was portrayed in a negative way.  Although ideally it would
have been great to have a librarian in there, especially one who sees
his/her role as one who helps you sort out the Internet, navigate it,
understand and interpret the vast amounts of information, NASA probably
never gave it a thought!  That is not to say they intentionally ommited
us from it. But they were gearing it to (perhaps) PTO's and uniformed
administrators just beginning to see the Internet light.
--Linda Wood

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 Having read all the negative comments about Global Quest, I was
prepared to hate it, and to vigorously defend my professional honor.
The first time I watched it, however, I had to leave the room for a
second, and I missed the part with the close-up of the copyright date
in the book.  I had to replay it and look closely for the library-
disparaging remarks.
 The purpose of the video is simple:  to introduce people (parents,
students, educators, administrators) to the concept of the internet,
and to some of its applications in the classroom.  It is very short,
and very general. It can also be eye-opening.  Those of us accustomed
to using the internet's resources can forget how strange and
intimidating it can and does seem to novices.  In this respect, the
video succeeds in its aim.
 In response to the implied criticism of school libraries, I will
have to admit that some of the criticism is justified.  Often we do not
have the resources to provide the most current information on every
subject.  However, the student looking for information on
telecommunications is looking in the wrong place.  Books are out of
date in this field almost as soon as they are printed.  Journal
articles are a much better source of current information:  however,
they are seldom available in the elementary or even middle school
libraries.  As school library media specialists, we may need to rethink
the research needs of younger students.
 I agree with an earlier comment that the video leaves viewers
with the impression that the internet is the answer to every research
problem.  I also found it hard to relate to the narrator, who reminded
me uncomfortably of Doug Llewelyn of the People's Court.  I consider
these to be minor problems, however.
 At the request of a teacher, I showed Global Quest to the four fifth-
grade classes at County Line Elementary School (Germantown, Wisconsin)
yesterday.  The kids were very interested.  More than half of them have
computers in their homes, and they asked very computer-literate
questions.  We are hoping to get internet access for these students
soon, and for the rest of the district.  Global Quest just might help
us get it.  And for that, I'll put up with a less-than-perfect internet
video.  Thanks again for sending it to me.
--Sylvia L. Adair, MLIS almost-graduate

*******************************

I agree that the approach is somewhat insulting to libraries and LMCs
in particular, but it will generate enthusiasm for what the Internet
can bring into the classroom.
--Arlene Friedman

*******************************

After viewing _Global Quest_ I am left with the following impressions:

It is such a brief presentation that if it is to be used to introduce
the Internet to the uninitiated, there better be someone on hand to
answer questions.

I do agree that the impression is left that Internet is the answer to
all information needs.  More emphasis could have been placed, for
example, on the statement made by one woman in the film that the
Internet supplements library materials and other resources.  However,
there were several scenes in which the people involved were located in
a library media center.  While not specifically stated, the implication
is there that the library is involved.  Why not state it specifically?

I was not left with the feeling that this is a deliberate attempt to
belittle or degrade libraries, but rather that it is evidence that the
producers are uninformed about what is really going on in many of them.

It is perhaps useful as introductory material for a presentation, but
with the caveat that it does not tell the whole story!

--Joyce Miller

*******************************

Steve & Jennifer, as a high school librarian, I was disturbed by the
message in the Global Quest video that library materials are hopelessly
out of date--1958 in the video's example.  I take pride in our
library's ability to access what students need, of which the Internet
is an exciting part.  I hope in future depictions libraries will be
given more credit.
--Cynthia Riley

To me, Katie: I thought the Global Quest was well done and made a copy
which I have shared with the Middle School Librarian in our district.
I'd like to use it with teachers who are just learning about the
Internet now and also show it to the School Board, with whom I'm
meeting this month. Cynthia Riley

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Dear Ms. Sellers and Mr. Hodas,

I would like to take this opportunity to comment on NASA's video
"Global Quest." I would first like to thank NASA for producing
a short video which could be used to promote Internet use in the
schools, and which can be freely copied. However, as a school library
media professional, I have several concerns about its content. For an
organization such as NASA which  concerns itself with the future of our
children, the producers have a skewed outlook of the present and future
capabilities of our school library media centers. While it is true that
many library print collections need updating, library media centers are
more than books. Most, if not a large majority, of LMCs are automated
or have computers, CD-ROMs and/or online access.

I find it ironic that on your video, while the narrator is standing in
the library talking about its out-of-date material, there are two
students behind him (in the library!) using a computer, presumably for
Internet access. Access to information is what a library is all about,
and teaching how to access and use that information is what the school
library media specialist is all about. Come into the 21st century,
visit a school library media center!

And when you redo the video, which I truly hope you do, interview
some students and library media specialists about their school library.

--Shelley Glantz