I'll be careful here since I have been known to raise a ruckus.
I know the orig. post was about retaining print encyclopedias. Obviously, I
have pointed out advantages of subscription based online encyclopedias.
However, there wasn't clarity on what the alternative was; subscription to
online, using bookmarked freebies, subject directories, google. Four very
different animals and some points of discussion would necessarily be
different for each. As would some issues involving grade levels or ranges.
One of my concerns about many of the points/arguments below is whether they
stand up to serious scrutiny by people making that decision. Some points are
valid in some situations, not universally. There are arguments being made
with no note of research to back up the assertation. Several of the points
are given as fact when they are opinion. I think, as Information
Specialists, that bases really need to be well covered when going in to
present either a POV or research on a topic.
Since the orig post wasn't clarified, there is some conflating of arguments.
An example is the kid search for Verona Italy. Was the argument print v.
online encyclopedias or print v. bad use of google?
Funny thing about power going down issues. Last time that happened (couple
of years ago), I spent the evening on the couch on-line with a laptop. Time
before that(about 6 years ago), I was in a library with no windows.... And
we didn't have 26 flashlights. And in full disclosure; we have had internet
disruptions on occasion. Causes as much havoc as not being able to find the
M and J volumes when the class is in studying planets.
The 'miss all the other articles' argument doesn't fit with 'too easily
distracted with hyperlinks' that was not in hit but in previous post. In
either case, there are ways to view extra or extraneous material in both
print or online.
The 26 volume v. one user on computer doesn't quite work if you need the G
volume and the only one available is X-Z. And someone's going to wait,
whether from lack of machines or the fact that someone needs to read up on
Mars while someone else is studying Michigan.
'think critically' isn't a skill limited to print. That is why we review
speeches, practice critical media viewing, etc.
'encyclopedias will always win.' I carry atlases, almanacs, directories,
dictionaries, fact books. Each has special features making them the best for
a particular need. Yes, paper and on-line.
'Lack of supporting graphics' doesn't sound right. One of the benefits of
online is ease of access to more supporting graphics, text forms and
features.
I have always had home access as integral part of the contract, so '...huge
amounts of money for off site access..' may need a bit of clarification and
statistical evidence.
'Havinga range of reading level, authority, detail in articles, lack of
supporting graphics and text features, distracting ads, printing out issues,
make them all too expensive in terms of student learning.' Maybe something
got scrambled. No ads in subscription-based access but free ones are rife
with them. The range of RL is by individual encyclopedia in the ones that
get good reviews so helping reader choose encyclopedia (print or online)
would cover that. Don't most of us carry more than one title? Anything we
purchase for the library would be based on quality rubrics including
authority, graphics, and detail in articles. Those same issues would be
involved in having cheap (grocery store) print encyclopedias. Printing
issues may need some review of policies in the building, it isn't an
inherent problem with online. Same as copying the print article for home or
classroom use, if there is a 3 page limit on copying and you have a 5 page
article to copy.....
I would want to see the evidence (research) on 'thinking process is
different' before making a decision. Seemingly, that would effect whether to
use word processors, PowerPoint presentations, video, books on tape, etc. I
know there is anecdotal evidence (both ways), but what controlled,
peer-reviewed studies are there
Robert Eiffert, Librarian
Pacific Middle School
Evergreen SD 114 Vancouver WA
beiffert@egreen.wednet.edu
pac.egreen.wednet.edu/library
robert@crypticmachinery.net
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications
[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of Nancy Hagler
Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2004 1:58 PM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: HIT: print encyclopedias
Thank you to all who replied. I have great ideas to make my case for print
encyclopedias. Here's the hit:
It doesn't matter if the computers are down or if the internet connection
isn't working; you have the encyclopedias.
Sometimes it's just easier to spread some books out and compare what they
say, rather than bookmarking pages and going back and forth in a browser.
Plus print is easier on the eyes, and - depending on screen/printer
resolution - images and graphs may actually be easier to read from a print
set than an electronic version.
The thinking process is different and in many ways clearer for small
children and even teens in the print resources.
My teen wandered around on the internet unsuccessfully last night looking
for Verona Italy on a map.He chose to ignore everything I had ever taught
him. Finally, indesperation, he asked me for the I volume and had the answer
in 30 seconds.
Take a child to the zoo because the child asked about a particular animal.
Ask him/her to remember the trip. Now imagine that when the child asked
about the animal, the child is blindfolded and earplugs put in. Put the
child in the car, drive to the zoo, lead the child to the animal in
question, remove blindfold and earplugs. When the child has seen enough of
that one animal (make sure no other animals are
seen) put the blindfold and earplugs back on and go home.The online version
is quick, and gets you the information you want at that moment, but you miss
all the other articles that are in the print version. You really need both
print and online versions to adequately serve your students.
On on-line encyclopedia can be used by one person at a computer. A set of 26
volumes in a print encyclopedia means 26 people can use that one set of
encyclopedias in a class setting.
An online encyclopedia is no use when the power goes out or the network is
down. A print encyclopedia can be used anywhere, anytime.
An online encyclopedia gives you exactly what you ask for (so if you can't
spell you won't find the information). A print encyclopedia allows you to
browse and if you've spelled a word slightly wrong you can still find the
information a page or two before or after where you think you ought to be.
An online encyclopedia stifles the serendipity- the ah ha moment of research
because you only see what you asked for. The print encyclopedia allows you
to scan a page and see other information that you hadn't thought of looking
for.
An online encyclopedia can't be borrowed and taken home for a report (unless
you're spending huge amounts of money for off site access and you might as
well buy several print sets for that kind of dough because not every student
will have a computer with internet access). A print set can be borrowed by
26 students for home use.
I like on-line encyclopedias but I always had a current set of print for the
above reasons. Children need to learn to scan, search alphabeticaly and
think critically. The only way to do that is through practice- the set of
print encyclopedias gives them the chance to practice.
Havinga range of reading level, authority, detail in articles, lack of
supporting graphics and text features, distracting ads, printing out issues,
make them all too expensive in terms of student learning.
22 volumes vs 1 keyboard for a class of 25 students learning guide words
and notetaking
In a race for three pieces of information, encyclopedias will always win!
Start in the middle of the library and meet back there with the facts. You
know who will win.
Some students have great difficulty reading from screens. It's something to
do with the flicker.
Students who have forgotten their passwords or been cut off the Internet for
cause can still use an encyclopedia.
You may have more volumes of encyclopedias than computers in the library.
Having both resources appeals to different learning styles.
Having both resources allows you to serve more patrons simultaneously.
Nancy Hagler
Queens Valley School
nkh13@aol.com
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