In a recent discussion at ALA conference about the future of reference, Jon Gregory of World Book commented, “if we’re going to look out for learners, not just try to be 21st century, we have to understand that online is just a delivery method” (Thomton-Verma 2012, 38).
People like to learn in different ways and access information in different ways. While we are in a world where the possibilities of reference are expanding, it’s important to understand that this does not make everything BETTER. It does provide us with more information, but we need to be skilled at managing and working with and reading and organizing that information.
I’m going to say something shocking here. Get ready. I, Eva Price the 21st century librarian, loathe reading online. I don’t process information the same way. I have trouble reading the full articles, I skim. It’s a whole different world on knowledge. I like to turn pages and look through resources and feel things and visualize. It helps me remember, and it helps me learn.
This is quite possibly my favourite article on technology. I think that this online "rant" really gives an interesting perspective as-to the growth of technology and how that effects us as human beings. Books have a texture, a smell, and a feel to them. There's only so much of that experience one can have from using our fingers to grasp information. The information is there, yes. Technology is beneficial. It’s engaging and enticing and huge. There’s a lot we have to learn about these resources that continue to grow daily. What is the cost, though? How do we find the balance?
References
Thomton-Verma, Henrietta. 2012 “What’s the Future of Reference?.” School Library Journal. 58, no. 6: 36-39. Professional Development Collection, EBSCOhost (accessed November 8, 2012.)
Victor, Bret. "A brief rant on the future of interaction design." Last modified November 8, 2011. Accessed March 1, 2012. http://worrydream.com/ABriefRantOnTheFutureOfInteractionDesign/
People like to learn in different ways and access information in different ways. While we are in a world where the possibilities of reference are expanding, it’s important to understand that this does not make everything BETTER. It does provide us with more information, but we need to be skilled at managing and working with and reading and organizing that information.
I’m going to say something shocking here. Get ready. I, Eva Price the 21st century librarian, loathe reading online. I don’t process information the same way. I have trouble reading the full articles, I skim. It’s a whole different world on knowledge. I like to turn pages and look through resources and feel things and visualize. It helps me remember, and it helps me learn.
This is quite possibly my favourite article on technology. I think that this online "rant" really gives an interesting perspective as-to the growth of technology and how that effects us as human beings. Books have a texture, a smell, and a feel to them. There's only so much of that experience one can have from using our fingers to grasp information. The information is there, yes. Technology is beneficial. It’s engaging and enticing and huge. There’s a lot we have to learn about these resources that continue to grow daily. What is the cost, though? How do we find the balance?
References
Thomton-Verma, Henrietta. 2012 “What’s the Future of Reference?.” School Library Journal. 58, no. 6: 36-39. Professional Development Collection, EBSCOhost (accessed November 8, 2012.)
Victor, Bret. "A brief rant on the future of interaction design." Last modified November 8, 2011. Accessed March 1, 2012. http://worrydream.com/ABriefRantOnTheFutureOfInteractionDesign/