I'm not convinced it's a "Dewey" issue. I think it is more of a
thinking/problem solving issue. Kids are more and more conditioned to
instant information via computer, much of which requires little or no
thought and virtually no problem solving. I have been watching the kids in
our middle school come into 6th grade with less and less ability to think
and problem solve. They seem to be waiting to be told or provided
everything they need with little or no effort on their part. I give the
entering 6th graders a scavenger hunt each fall that makes them go all
over the library in search of the answers that are all in plain sight!
This is more for my benefit so I can see what they can and can't do
independently. It amazes me each fall while watching them that most of
them haven't a clue how to go about searching out very basic information,
how they don't read signs, labels, etc. I think education needs to worry
less about covering curriculum and more about teaching kids to think and
problem solve. I fear we're raising a generation of sheep.
Liz
Carrie Casarez <Carrie.Casarez@WHITEFACESCHOOL.NET> writes:
>I must agree with David. We have a small library, too, and junior/senior
>high students who have been coming to the library since Pre-K still
>expect my aid or me to find their books for them. I also point them in
>the general direction and give them some time to look for a book before
>offering help. The fiction section is the simplest since it's arranged in
>alphabetical order by the author's last name. The spine labels don't even
>have numbers on them. I get frustrated at times and ask the students if
>they know their alphabet when they are looking in the B's for R.L. Stine!
>I don't think it's too much to ask a student to read a spine label and
>look for a book. If they go to college, they'll be expected to find their
>own books in a much larger library! Whew. Thanks for letting me vent!
>
>Carrie Casarez
>Librarian
>Whiteface CISD
>Whiteface, TX 79379
>806-287-1104 ext. 224
>carrie.casarez@whitefaceschool.net
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: School Library Media & Network Communications
>[mailto:LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU] On Behalf Of David Lininger
>Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 4:13 PM
>To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
>Subject: Re: After spine labels
>
>Jo Reinmiller wrote:
>>But even though students are taught Dewey from early elementary up at my
>school, many students could not find a book if left to their own devices.
> I know that I could find a book by Dewey number without any previous
>exposure to the system simply by following the signage that shows which
>way according to the number. It's rather like looking for your hotel
>room. Why is it that students seem unable to do this? I'm wondering if
>there is a silent rebellion going on. Perhaps students are rejecting the
>system, and it is time for the rest of us to move on. I'm serious. How
>do we remain relevant?
>
>Call me a grumpy old man, but what's so hard about using Dewey (or LC,
>for that matter) to find a book on a shelf? I admit that a computerized
>catalog is FAR better than the old cards, but it seems that too many
>people of all ages seem to think that whatever they want must somehow be
>placed into their hands with no effort on their part.
>
>When a class comes in to look for books, I'll tell them that books on
>this subject are in this area, that subject is there, and then let them
>hunt. Since my library is quite small, I can see everything from
>anywhere in the room. If a student has made an effort to find a
>particular book, and can't, I'll give more help. Students who want me to
>get the book and hand it to them are pointed to the appropriate shelf
>and left to walk the 20 feet or so to get their own book. I have little
>patience with laziness.
>
>Sorry for being a grump. We're having parent-teacher conferences this
>afternoon and evening, and at 3 hours into the 7-hour total I've not had
>a single parent come in for a visit.
>
>
>--
>David Lininger, kb0zke
>MS/HS Librarian
>Skyline MS/HS
>Urbana, MO 65767
>(417) 993-4226
>t i g e r l i b r a r i a n at g m a i l dot c o m
>
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Messalonskee Middle School Library
33 School Bus Drive
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207-465-2167
lmcmahon@rsu18.org
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