Assignment+5

=Selection =

Introduction:
Although it seems like a fun aspect of collection development, this is probably the section that is as difficult as weeding. Selection is a thoughtful process where we evaluate the needs of our patrons and the condition of our collection in order to purchase the best materials. Other than the requests made by teacher and students, we "[learn] about new materials by reading reviews, viewing the announcements of publishers and producers, and previewing materials" (Bishop, 2007, p. 49). Our challenge is finding the best resources for our students and teachers that match our selection policy and the budget we have.

For the selection policy, this is a general guideline that we should follow in order to be consistent with our goals and the school's philosophy as mentioned in Bishop's chapter on selection. Lamb and Johnson from The School Media Specialist website (2010) provide a great start of a criteria list to use as seen below:

//Needs Connection //

 * ===//Value to Collection - do we need it? //===
 * ===//Use - will it be used? popular? loved by children? //===
 * ===//Materials Overlap - better/different perspective than we have already //===
 * ===//Connection to Curriculum - how does it connect to standards? //===

//Intellectual Content //

 * ===//Authority - who says? //===
 * ===//Appropriateness - appropriate for grade level, developmental level, reading level //===
 * ===//Scope - depth and breadth of information //===
 * ===//Accuracy - facts vs opinions //===
 * ===//Treatment - style, interest, length //===
 * ===//Arrangement and Organization - sequence, flow, table of contents, index //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Special Features - photos, illustrations, maps, charts, glossary //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Literary Quality - character, plot, setting //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Durability of Information - currency, "fad topic" //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Series - do we need one or all? should a series be completed? //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Cost - expense vs value to collection //===

//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Physical Form //

 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Technical Quality - photos, sound, durability, colors, font, cover //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Aesthetics - appealing colorful, interesting, stimulating //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Safety/Health Issues - wires, sharp objects, chemicals //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Other Considerations - individual use, medium, parts of fit, storage, reusable, sturdy //===

//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Hardware Selection //

 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Ease of use - only essential features //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Size, weight, design - storage, movement, security //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Performance - efficient, consistent //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Availability of Extras - batteries, parts, software, accessories //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Compatibility //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Versatility - player/recorder //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Need //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Safety //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Maintenance & Service - bulbs, batteries, ink //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Reliability & Dealer Support //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Size - portable //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Cost //===

//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Formats //

 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Print - books, documents, magazines //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Visuals - maps, photographs, charts //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Audio media - audiotape, CD //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Motion media - videotape, DVD, streaming video //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Web - web pages, video, audio, visuals //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Electronic databases - local and remote server //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Software - productivity tools, reference materials, instructional materials //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Tactile - kits, games, manipulative, stuffed toys, realia, globes //===
 * ===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Hardware - cameras, handheld devices, electronic keyboards, laptops, learning devices //===

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">It is basically a checklist that we should go over and see if the resource fits the standards we set up. There are a lot of things to consider when choosing an item to add to the collection.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">In terms of budget, if we had unlimited money then it would be easy to buy all the best and most expensive materials available to us. Unfortunately this is not the case. Since reality is that we only have a certain amount of money to spend, we have to be picky. We need to scrutinize and contemplate every item we come across. We need to check reviews, look at prices and compare back to our current collection. Like certain T-L's that Bishop mentions about, I also like to cross reference with the Destiny Online Catalogue to see if our school or maybe others schools have the item.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">So there are a few review places we can use to check if a resource is good. Our school has a subscription to VOYA and Teacher Librarian which provide many good reviews. Follett's online catalogue also provides reviews for their books if available from reputable sources like The School Library Journal. This reduces the time looking for reviews when I can look at the book and see what professionals have said. Then for others if I could not see reviews, I would try to search them on the web. I tried to avoid books without previews as I prefer the ability to see what is inside

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">A preview of the book makes it even better to consider. This way, I actually see the pages inside and screen whether that layout fits the needs of the patrons. Some books are black-and-white inside and some are more geared towards the younger audience so when I did find one that I really like I put that aside in Evernote.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">DVDs are harder to preview as that would require them to let us watch it. However, with the shift towards online streaming video content, DVDs may not be as popular with the coming years especially since they are so costly to buy with Public Performance Rights (PPR).

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">When I first started this selection assignment, I was expecting to purchase a lot of non fiction science information books. The ones in the school are outdated and not as appealing. It would be a nice addition to the collection. Ford explains in her article that "whether exploring on their own or reading as part of a school assignment, children often use a book from the library as their sole information source on a topic of interest. That book had better be accurate, since those kids are accessing little corroborating or competing evidence beyond its pages. Books that play loose with factbook information, or are written in a manner that oversimplifies ideas to the point of inaccuracy, do not serve readers well" (2002, p.266). It is important to have good scientific books with current and reliable information for students to use because it may be the only book they use. However, as I searched for these factual books, there were few that I could use. Instead, I stumbled upon a different type of books. There were picture books and graphic novels that were very interesting. The reviews were positive and I saw potential in them. At the end of Ford's article, she explains what she believes is a good science book,

===//<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">For [her], it's a book that makes science come alive through explicit treatment of the practices of science, generous links to the people who participate in scientific investigations, consideration of rich and rewarding and relevant scientific topics, and an engaging, clear, and personal voice. A good book models for children the nature of scientific thinking, provides opportunities for them to engage in this thinking while reading the book, and uses text, images, and graphics to best convey scientific information. Above all, a good science book is imbued with passion for science and nature, and invites readers to engage with, imagine, and experience science in ways they may never have thought of before. (p.271) //===

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">After reading this conclusion, I realized that it does not have to be an information book. It can be a picture book or a manga as long as it can inspire! As we dive into the 21st Century, information books are not the only form of reliable source. We are also shifting towards online resources like databases. More importantly, students need a source that can capture their attention and teach them while doing it. These picture books may be for a Grade 2 level but they are great examples for translational activities in class related to the topic. They provide a creative outlet that is both knowledgeable, comprehensive and imaginative. The manga was reviewed by this scientist who found it accurate about the subject area and fun! As a result of that, almost half of my choices were not just information items and can be used across several curriculum.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">As for the online resources, I chose a variety of websites that I found interactive and helpful. I included a couple of Apps of which, one cost money. Finally, I also chose two Twitter accounts to follow. One provides current articles on subjects related to Biology Science. These can be used for current events like they do in a Social Studies class. The other has tweets about 3D digital anatomy parts that can show students how a liver looks like in 3D at all angles.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Below is a list of the resources I selected and the justification for them. I also included the full review into the spreadsheet as some were from the Follett website and cannot be accessed by a link. For others, I included the link in the column next to the review.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Order List:
<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">media type="custom" key="20447106"

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Online Resources:
<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. Blood Typing Game

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This is a blood typing game that teaches students how to determine a person's blood type. It is interactive and fun! They are the ones who are responsible for performing the blood test in order to give the right blood to save the patient. It ties in the curriculum for the cardiovascular body system where they actually do a blood test for themselves as a lab. Supports PLOs C4-6

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. National Geographic

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This is an information site where there is an interactive slideshow with 3D pictures of the brain showing all the connections. This will help students with the nervous system where they need to see which part of the brain is responsible for which body part, etc. Supports PLOs C11,12

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Skin Cancer Investigation

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">It is a Skin Cancer Investigation where you go through the different stages investigating how the sun affects us and causes cancer. This is an interactive website that supports the Processes of Science PLOs A1-3

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. Cell Size and Scale

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This is a simple yet extremely visual way of comparing the sizes of different objects from an atom all the way to a coffee bean. It helps the students visualize the size of objects. Great teaching tool. Supports the cell biology PLOs A3

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4. Secret Life of Scientists

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> A fantastic website that has a collection of video interviews with scientists who also have a secret hobby. It shows that scientists are multi-faceted and are more than just a typical "nerd." It goes really well with showing them the careers that are out there related to science and how it does not dictate who they are outside of work. There is a certain stigma associated with scientists that turn students away from being one. This website will disprove that notion. In addition, these videos give the students the opportunity to see all the different types of careers there are in the science field beyond the typical ones.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">5. Crash Course <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">6. Scishow <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Scishow and Crash Course are educational Youtube channels that talk about different science topics! Crash Course focuses on biology and history while Scishow talks about any science topic. They are fun to watch and easy to understand. The best part is that the 21st Century Learner loves watching Youtube! This would be an easy way to hook them and they will learn something while watching it! There are several videos on DNA and cells. Fits well with the PLO's on cell biology B1-11

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">7. Frog Dissection App <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This is a great app for virtual dissection! For students who are not comfortable with dissecting an actual frog or fetal pig, this is a great alternative OR complement to the real thing. It supports the body system PLOs. Unfortunately it does cost money to buy ($3.99) but I have some money left over from buying the other resources so it gives me some leeway.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">8. iTunes U <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This is an app that students should have for their personal learning network (PLN). There are so many great podcasts for the students to listen about their topics. Just an all around great app to have for free.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">9. @BioscienceNews

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Twitter is just another great tool for students to use for their own learning purposes (with proper guidance). Bioscience News tweets about all the latest articles related to biological sciences. Great for current events with the students. Even though it is a Biology 12 class, it does not mean they should only focus on how the body works. There is a lot of changes happening in the scientific world related to cell and body systems. The students would benefit from following and discussing these tweets.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">10. [|@DL3D_rocks]

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This is not as interesting as the twitter account @BioscienceNews but it does have a lot of nice photos of different parts of the body in 3D. It shows them in different angles as well so students can see how a spleen looks like from multiple views as well as the cross-section.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">References:
<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Bishop, K., & Orden, P. (2007). The collection program in schools: concepts, practices, and information sources (4th ed.). Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Ford, D. (2002). More than the Facts: Reviewing Science Books. Horn Book Magazine, 78(3), 265-271. Retrieved from Library, Information Science & <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Technology Abstracts with Full Text database.

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Lamb, A., & Johnson, L. (2010). Information Access & Delivery: Materials Review and Selection. The School Library Media Specialist. Retrieved Jul 20, 2012, from @http://eduscapes.com/sms/access/selection.html