When our kids are not downloading or chatting or networking or youtubing or Facebooking or gaming we hope they are doing some homework. Kids from the ages of 6 to 18 spend more than seven and a half hours a day plugged in to their computers (or other online devices). That’s about 53 hours a week!
Teacher and librarians encourage teens to use books and journals but no-print resources are a mainstay of most every teen or ‘tween in today’s classroom. We know that teens use the Internet almost exclusively for their homework and research projects. They are more comfortable with a keyboard than they are hunting through the stacks looking for "print resources." And let’s face it, online research is also much quicker.
Okay. So we know they can do the research. But multiple studies have shown that the majority of teens lack the critical thinking skills and technical expertise to convert their research into an essay or research project. That is to say, “Here is the data, what do I do now? “
Writing is something that requires practice. Many students have the right information and have cited their sources correctly but haven’t a clue about how to organize a paper. After explaining the faults and weaknesses of a paper, writing instructors tell their learners to re-write and re-write again.
Teens need to know that the library is a trusted resource for accessing information and that librarians are the experts who can help them develop the skills they need to use electronic resources effectively and efficiently and ethically (no plagiarism). Students usually respond to criticism positively and their work improves.
The general theme of the American Library Association is “Get Connected @ your library.” Encourage your teen or ‘tween to check out the valuable resources available at your local library.
By John Grimm
April 19, 2011
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