I’m reading in my Exploring Current Issues In Instructional Technology (Tiene, D., & Ingram, A. 2001), and on page 77-78 there is a discussion on using encyclopedias and how CD/DVDs make it possible to have so much more information within a small amount of space–the thought being that now it doesn’t matter if libraries are small in size. Is that true? I realize it is true in theory, but does having DVDs help with library resources. A DVD isn’t as expensive as an encyclopedia, but don’t you need a computer to run the DVD? (I realize a TV can run DVDs but not interactive ones, correct?) And computers are expensive, take a lot of space, and are quickly outdated. Plus, do patrons scratch the disks? How often do they need to be replaced. And are encyclopedias another medium that will be accessed from the cloud?
Pet peeve here. I purchased a set of World Book Encyclopedias when my daughter was in first grade. I don’t think a teacher ever asked for research from the encyclopedia. Maybe that is because a library may only have one set, and most homes don’t have them, but honestly, Grace didn’t even know how to USE THEM! It was the first place I went when I was doing research. We were very lower middle class growing up but we had a set of World Books that were well-used. Our set, on the other hand, looks brand new and they are 10 years old.
It is frustrating to me to find all of Grace’s research in the form of URLs. Am I missing something?
Reference:
Tiene, D., & Ingram, A. (2001). Exploring Current Issues In Instructional Technology. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
MaryAnne Nestor 