[CALIBK12] Pathfinders?

[Francie Kunaniec]

Most of my students are low-income and many still don't have Internet access at home. Working toward better Information Literacy is an ongoing challenge. I regularly use pathfinders to give students some direction for both online and print research in our library. The pathfinder is usually published as a webpage on the library website and paper copies are available. We start every class project with a discussion (teacher, librarian & students) about the best resources to use for the current task. We also tell students that they are not restricted to using only what's available on the pathfinder. 

As we plan a project, I ask the teachers for input regarding the pathfinder. Usually they have some favorite websites they have already provided to the students. Having the URL linked from the pathfinder means fewer typing errors and less frustration for the students. I also solicit ideas from the students so I can be update the webpages throughout the year.

Francie Kunaniec, Teacher Librarian
Adams Middle School
Richmond, CA

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Magana. Darla 
To: calibk12 at listproc.sjsu.edu
Sent: 6/24/2008 2:32:31 PM 
Subject: [CALIBK12] Pathfinders?


I know there is hardly anyone on the list at this time, BUT maybe those that are out there might be up for a little theoretical discussion about the use of pathfinders in a school library.
 
Pathfinders are (generally speaking) lists of helpful resources on a given topic that are created by the librarian.  They can include websites, articles, print resources, etc.  The intent of a pathfinder is to help the user access helpful information.  
 
Here is my question…what is the role of the pathfinder in a school setting?  Since part of our job as Teacher Librarians is to educate students on HOW to access information shouldn’t we NOT be handing them a pathfinder which has it all there for them?    But on the other hand, we also have a role to provide access and delivery, which a Pathfinder certainly does.  What are your thoughts?—I’ve struggled with the balance of this all year.
 
Darla Magana
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
 
 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.sjsu.edu/pipermail/calibk12/attachments/20080624/27da85fb/attachment.html