Reflection on using electronic vs print resources

I prefer younger elementary students use print references and learn where to find books in the library.  Libraries have carefully selected print references that are written for the grade level of the students.  I think print references are easier for initial teaching of text features and non-fiction writing style.  Students can take time to look at and take home print references. 

Older students use a number of print resources when they use their textbooks.  These resources should be used to teach about research including searching, selecting, summarizing, text features etc.  Students should also be taught about other print reference materials as Jennifer’s[1] comment points out students should use their dictionaries and thesaurus instead of jumping on the computer.  As noted for younger students, library resources are reviewed for content and appropriateness that doesn’t occur with most online resources.  For some projects I like to encourage students to use the computer.  However students need to learn about issues around information  and information sharing on the web.  Like the text stated, critical thinking is important for students to help with searching (p104) and evaluating information they select.  Dorion (2008[2]) also points out the importance of teaching students about plagiarism and the social and ethical issues of using and posting on the web.  Some of the challenge of using computers in schools was outlined by Kirsti[3] and include slow internet connections, broken computers and the challenge of sharing computer images with a class.  Most of these challenges can be overcome; however some may be restricted by budgets.  

Most of our students are familiar with the internet and social networking, teaching them more about using the internet effectively will help them with future success.  As noted in the EPIC survey[4] most university students use the internet to research, including online journals, even this course is online as noted a blackboard post.

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[1] Jennifer Chat, Oct 4. 2010 class comment on blackboard.

[2] Dorion, Ray.  2008.  Towards a Transformative Pedagogy for School Libraries 2.0.  School Libraries Worldwide 14 (2) July 208 p. 1-18.

[3] Kirsti Youke, Sept 30, 2010 class comment on blackboard.

[4] Epic survey from lesson 4 on class blackboard http://www.epic.columbia.edu/eval/find09/find09.ppt