Evaluation of a Reference Work: The Encyclopedia of British Columbia

 Hello everyone!

Here is my assginment # 1, Evaluation of a Reference Work, from the TL course LIBE 467. Thank you 

all for your time! Have a wonderful weekend! 

                     Evaluation of a Reference Work: The Encyclopedia of British Columbia

                    

      

                                                             Introduction

     An evaluation has been done on a reference work, The Encyclopedia of British Columbia,

edited by Daniel Francis, to determine its quality as an educational tool for primary students. The

text is found in the reference section within the school library learning commons. The

encyclopedia is a massive book that contains information on the province’s geography, history,

government, and people. This text was evaluated to decide whether it is worth keeping as a

reference resource in the library. The text was reviewed for relevancy, purpose, currency, and

curricular connections. A rubric accompanies this report as a separate document for further

evaluation of the encyclopedia, such as content, student social considerations, format, accuracy,

authority, and instructional design. This report includes reviews of this reference work, an

alternative replacement, and conclusion.

 

Image taken from 

https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofbr0000unse_m6e2

                                                              Relevancy

     This reference work is somewhat relevant to educators who need extra resources to teach the Social

Studies curriculum to their students. Although the work discusses some history and culture of

First Nations people, the encyclopedia mostly covers the European perspective of history and

culture in British Columbia. There is not enough text that explores multiculturalism and

Indigenous cultures. Furthermore, the text is too complex for elementary reading levels and

abilities. This book is more relevant for high school learners than for primary students.

 

                                                            Purpose

     The purpose of this encyclopedia is to provide information on the history, people,

geography, and culture in the province of British Columbia. It is a reference work meant for

studious or interested readers.

 

                                                           Currency

     The first edition of this encyclopedia was published in 2000. Thus, this reference work is

too old to be in a modern school library collection. It has not been updated in 24 years which

poses issues in presenting correct, unbiased information for patrons. The book should not be

in circulation.

                                                   Curricular Connections

     This text does not connect with elementary curricular goals. Its subjects mostly connect with

high school level curriculums, such as social studies. It covers Canadian history, government,

geography, events, places, people, and culture. Even so, the reference work does not reflect the

diverse identities in high school students. The encyclopedia mostly focuses on European-

Canadian history and culture.  The text provides very little information on various ethnic and

indigenous groups that reside in British Columbia’s society. Overall, this encyclopedia does not meet

enough curricular goals to be a reference tool in schools.  

 

                                           Evaluation of Reference Work Rubric

     The rubric to evaluate this encyclopedia is attached at the bottom of this blog. The content in the 

rubric has been influenced by Evaluating, Selecting and Managing Learning Resources: A Guide 

document and the Reference Skills for the School Librarian: Tools and Tips text. 

 

                                                          Reviews

     Reviews of multiple readers and educators regarding this reference work are mixed. Some

reviews claim this is a great encyclopedia for anyone wanting to learn more about British

Columbia. According to Robert Wiersema on Quill and Quire, “The EBC provides both a

compelling overview of the province and a wealth of minutiae to satisfy the most trivia-minded.”

However, the encyclopedia has received many criticism toward its format and content.

Wiersema claims, “Some of the photographs miss the standard of care set by the written

entries… and are occasionally confusing.” Another reviewer from Better World Books states,

“The reading level is mature and substantial enough for young adults, intermediate students may

find it daunting.” These reviews agree that this resource is not suitable as a reference resource for

children.

                                                   Resource Replacement

 

     An alternative to this printed encyclopedia book is an electronic resource. There is an

online program called KnowBC where new editions of this encyclopedia has been moved

from printed format to digital. Information from the printed edition of the encyclopedia has

been updated. The digital format has also bee adapted to be more user friendly and accessible

for students. The website is more inclusive of diverse groups in British Columbia, containing

many articles on multiculturalism, immigration, First Nation peoples, racism, and important

figures from different ethnic backgrounds. The focus is not European-Canadian centred. The

format has also been simplified for young readers to understand. Reviews have praised this e-

resource as a must-have for educators. Ann Turner from Canadian Book Review Annual

claims, “The Interactive Encyclopedia is being maintained and updated continuously, and can

be accessed by subscription to its website. Highly recommended for school and public

libraries.” The cost of subscribing to this program is $20.00 per year; however, the school

district has already subscribed to this service. The website is available for any educator in the

district to use with their students.

 

                                                           Conclusion

 

     This printed text, The Encyclopedia of British Columbia, needs to be removed from the

school library’s reference section. The book is not an accurate nor relevant reference work. It

has several issues that jeopardizes student learning, such as:

 

·         Inaccurate, outdated content

·         Lack of diverse representation, including First Nation people

·         Irrelevant, unclear visuals

·         Dense information that is too complex for elementary level readers to understand

·         Confusing format where paragraphs, subject headings, infographics, etc., are not organized

·         Lack of engaging activities for group or independent learning

 

Therefore, this reference work should be replaced with the KnowBC program where

information is updated continuously and accessible to all. This digital source with an

abundance of information for the Social Studies curriculum will meet the needs of educators

and young learners.

 

 

    

Total words: 773

 

 

 

Content	Instructional Design	Student Social Considerations	Format	Authority
3. -support and be consistent with provincial and local program curriculum outcomes -appropriate for the subject area, age, emotional development, ability level, learning styles, and social development -preferably Canadian produced with equal quality to other materials -clearly written, straightforward, and free of jargon	3. -encourage students to question, think, react, reflect, and decide in ways that develop critical thinking and decision-making skills -draw students into group learning, as well as individual growth -offer choice and flexibility to meet needs of individual abilities, learning styles, intelligences, and interests  -activity based rather than lecture based -promote hands on activities and an applied approach to learning	3. -reflects sensitivity to gender and sexual orientation, and cultural and ethnic heritage -promotes equality by enhancing students’ understanding of a multicultural and diverse society -helps students understand the many important contributions made to our civilization by minority groups and people with a variety of ethnic backgrounds -motivate students to examine their attitudes and behaviours, and to comprehend their duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges as citizens    -raise level of awareness of bias, stereotypes, ethnocentrism, discrimination, and racism -students from all cultures and backgrounds need to see themselves reflected in encyclopedia	3. -reading comprehension is supported by tables of content, indexes, glossaries, chapter titles that capture main ideas, identification of subtopics, overviews or advance organizers, and summaries -clear, useful, and relevant visuals such as graphs, photos, illustrations, etc., to support text -effective use and placement of topic sentences in paragraphs; paragraphs are cohesive and have a main point, and present logical explanation of information -ideas are clearly communicated through effective and efficient use of contrasting print size and style	3. -developed by competent authors and producers with high standards in content and presentation - reputation of publishers and writers is known for quality of works and information -prominent contributors, leaders in their field of study, with qualifications relating to the work they have wrote
2. -supports some curriculum outcomes -appropriate for some ages, levels, etc., but not all -mostly clearly written and straightforward with some jargon	2. -students are somewhat encouraged to develop critical and decision making skills -students drawn mostly into either individual learning or group learning -some and flexibility choices offered to student learning -somewhat activity based with some lecture based aspects	2. -some sensitivity expressed toward gender and sexual orientation, perspective of aboriginal people, and cultural and ethnic heritage -some effort to promote equality through certain amount of facts -students receive some understanding of minority groups and ethnic groups in our society -help students understand responsibilities and rights of a citizen -most cultures of students reflected in encyclopedia	2. -reading comprehension is supported by some encyclopedia features and organizers -some visuals are clear and relevant to text, though some are only used for decoration -paragraphs show some cohesiveness and logic -some ideas are clear with mostly clean typography	2. -some competent authors and producers on publishing team -reputation is somewhat known for quality -few prominent leaders  with some qualifications relavant to the text were involved
1. -no support or consistency with curriculum outcomes -is not appropriate for most student ages, levels, etc. -writing is not clear nor straightforward enough to be understood	1. -little encouragement to develop critical and decision making skills -little to no opportunities for group or individual learning -no flexibility, no variety of choices in student learning -lecture based	1. -little to no representation of diversities in people, such as genders, sexual orientation, cultural and ethnic background, aboriginal heritage, and minority groups -not inclusive of all student backgrounds and cultures	1. -reading comprehension is difficult to understand with little support and features -most visuals are low quality in image, not relevant to the text -paragraphs are disorganized -ideas are obscure, unclear to the reader	1. -little competence among authors and producers -reputation is not known for making works of quality -little to no leaders with qualifications relevant to the subject of the text

 

 

                                             

                                                            Works Cited

 

Francis, Daniel, editor. Encyclopedia of British Columbia. 1st ed., Harbour Pub, 2000. 

Riedling, Ann Marlow, and Cynthia Houston. “Chapter 6: Dictionaries and Encyclopedias,” Reference Skills for the School Librarian: Tools and Tips. Libraries Unlimited, an Imprint of ABC CLIO, LLC, 2019. 

Turner, Ann. “Encyclopedia of British Columbia.” Canadian Book Review Annual Online, cbra.library.utoronto.ca/items/show/7784. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024. 

Wiersema, Robert. “The Encyclopedia of British Columbia - Quill and Quire.” Quill and Quire - Canada’s Magazine of Book News and Reviews, 20 Apr. 2004, quillandquire.com/review/the-encyclopedia-of-british-columbia/. 

Evaluating, Selecting, and Managing Learning Resources: A Guide. British Columbia Ministry of Education, 2002. 

“About KnowBC.” KnowBC, Howard White  , www.knowbc.com/About-KnowBC. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024. 

“The Encyclopedia of British Columbia.” BetterWorldBooks, https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/the-encyclopedia-of-british-columbia-9781550172003. Accessed 8 Feb. 2024.