“Human society has become more global than ever before; therefore, recent geographical resources are a necessity.”- Rieldling, p. 79
Introduction
A lot of our physical reference materials have been weeded or relocated to classrooms. Dictionaries serve a better purpose in the classrooms than in the School Library Learning Commons. I have noticed that over the years, physical reference material has shifted to digital forms instead. There are many reasons for this. A lot has to do with the breakthrough in the digital era and the abundance of digital resources at our fingertips. Other reasons range from budget restrictions and utilizing the budget for more valuable resources. However, students still value and appreciate physical material. For primary students, it is easier to use. Especially maps. There is something special about learning a new place or places; opening a huge atlas to find the various cities, lakes, rivers, etc. To see the terrain we live in. After all, being able to read a map can be crucial to getting somewhere. You never know when your GPS service goes down!
Part 1: Evaluative review of "The Usborne Inter-Linked, Essential Atlas of the World" resource
I have followed the criteria in Appendix 1 to evaluate this resource. Geographic sources may be evaluated using many of the same criteria as other reference sources. (Riedling, 2019)
Relevancy and authority- Minimal Standards
- Below Standards for two reasons: the author has newer editions and because there are few reviews for this book.
- This atlas was written by Stephanie Turnbull and published by a reliable company named Usborne Publishing Ltd. The Usborne company was established approximately 50 years ago (https://usborne.com/ca_en/about-us) and has many specialists that work to make these books. Currently, there are only two reviews that I could find. They were on amazon.
- I think it’s because there are more updated versions of this kind of resource. People are gravitating to buying newer versions than these old ones.
Purpose and content scope- Minimal Standards
The cost is expensive ($24.12 on amazon)
It includes digital resources through links
Costs slightly more than similar resources
Clear purpose to inform without advertising and bias
Clear navigation table of contents/comprehensive index/glossary available
Maps are drawn to scale and scale is clearly defined and it is appropriate for intended audience
Currency- Minimal Standards
published more than 5 years ago
Some information is out of date
Relates to some other resources already in the library
resource meets some aspects of the new BC curriculum
May not fit every grade level but most
Resource meets some diverse student needs and learning styles
Resource somewhat reflects student interests and cultural background of student’s population
Efficient use of library space- Minimal Standards
Resource fits easily on one shelf
Resource may be accessed outside of the library (in a classroom) by students and teachers
Part 2: Evaluative review of a replacement reference resource
Relevancy and authority- Exemplary
- Authors and publishers with excellent credentials
- Many current reviews available (below are the ratings for the Indigo website and a book review on this book)
Purpose and content scope- Exemplary
- Cost effective ($19.99), but no additional resources included
- Clear purpose to inform without advertising and bias
- Clear navigation, table of contents/comprehensive index/glossary available
- Maps are drawn to scale and scale is clearly defined and appropriate for intended audience
- Published recently, within 1-3 years- everything in the library is older than 5 years
- Continuously updated- this resource is updated because it is so recent
- Nothing similar already in the library, resource will greatly benefit existing reference- every other map resource is too old
Curricular connection- Exemplary
- Resource makes many connections to the new BC curriculum and can be used across grade levels
- Resource meets diverse student needs/learning styles
- Resource strongly reflects student interests and cultural background of student population
Efficient use of library space- Minimum Standard
- Resource takes up little or no space in the library
- Resource may be accessed outside of the library (in a classroom)
Conclusion
It is without a doubt that the National Geographic Kids World Atlas 6th edition should be added the library’s existing collection. It will be the most up to date atlas in the library. Students can take it out for fun reading or for participating in the learning of the BC curriculum. This resource will be an excellent asset for all learning styles and reading levels. The pictures, layout and language is perfect for primary and intermediate students. The only thing that is missing is that there are no digital links/versions of the resource which is a very small thing considering we have many digital sources that would allow students to access similar resource digitally.
Citations
