Exploiting the Internet as an Information Resource in Schools

Citation

Turner, R. (2000), "Exploiting the Internet as an Information Resource in Schools", New Library World, Vol. 101 No. 6, pp. 282-287. https://doi.org/10.1108/nlw.2000.101.6.282.3

James Herring could scarcely have timed his latest publication any better, with the government committing large resources to the provision of Internet access in schools via such initiatives as the National Grid for Learning.

The purpose of this excellent work is to provide those working in schools, not just librarians but also teachers and managers, with a guide to exploiting the Internet as an information resource.

Critically, Herring stresses the importance of the Internet being integrated with other learning resources. The “Oh, look it up on the Internet” phrase is something that most professionals have come across and which is educationally alarming in the lack of selection, appraisal and evaluation skills needed.

The whole book is extremely well laid out after the succinct introduction with lucid chapters where the key elements are boldly stated at the beginning. The clarity and ease of access of all Herring’s work is commendable. If only the Internet itself was as accessible!

The opening chapters deal with an overview of the sometimes harsh reality of IT provision in schools. This is dealt with in the context of the National Curriculum and the National Grid for Learning with all their attendant considerations. A practical lecture on utilising the Internet addresses the evaluation of information, copyright issues and the use of school‐related Internet projects. A further valuable section stresses the importance of information handling skills in using the Internet, including Herring’s favoured PLUS model (Purpose, Location, Use and Self‐evaluation).

From this basic understanding of the World Wide Web, Herring then deals specifically with the retrieval and handling of information resources on the Internet for English, Science, Geography, History, Art and other curricular areas. Case studies of particular schools and projects are used throughout to illustrate the subject.

After addressing the more passive retrieval procedures, the book then goes further and discusses how to create an instructional Web site and networking issues, including the development of a school tailored intranet.

Herring concludes with a discussion of future developments of IT in schools within the school curriculum. The whole work is provided with a useful bibliography and an adequate index.

The school librarian will very often have very different ideas from those of teachers, IT staff and management, on the role of the Internet within the overall information resource provision. It is essential for the school and the information specialist to get it right first time as they welcome the Internet to their armoury of resources. A thorough understanding of all the issues involved and an analysis of best practice are critical in the implementation and operational procedures. Exploiting the Internet as an Information Resource in Schools will be an invaluable tool to the school librarian in ensuring that the library becomes a multimedia resource centre that is adapted to the specific needs of the school for the benefit of the children it serves.