Rather than 'reinventing the wheel', I thought it best to stick to an established selection criteria that has had obvious success.
I have an understanding of the needs of the student of the school, having taught them for a term thus far, and realise that they need a lot of background information and understanding of the wider world beyond the regional city in which they live.
The school has a limited budget, and minimal capacity for e-book use at this stage. PDF files, digital and interactive free resources, print texts and films are all included in the resource list.
This is the selection criteria that I have chosen to use for Assignment 1-
To determine the suitability of the resources that are in
the collection, The South
Australian Department of Education and Children's Services'; Choosing and using teaching and learning materials (2004, p.10)
broad selection criteria will be used.
Teaching and learning materials, whether purchased
or donated, should be selected and accessed in ways which ensure they:
- are directly related to a preschool's or school's curriculum policy and program, based on the department's frame work of standards and accountability, and include, where relevant, support for the recreational needs of children and students.
- support an inclusive curriculum, thus helping children and students to gain an awareness of our pluralistic society and the importance of respectful relations with others.
- encourage understanding of the many important contributions made to our common Australian heritage by men, women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from diverse cultural and linguistic groups, people with disabilities and minority groups.
- motivate children, students and educators to examine their own attitudes and behaviour and to comprehend their duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges as citizens in our society.
- are relevant for the age of the children or students for whom they are selected and for their emotional, intellectual, social and cultural development. This includes the assurance that children and students will not be exposed to offensive materials; that is, materials which describe, depict, express or otherwise deal with matters of nudity, sexual activity, sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in a manner that a reasonable adult would generally regard as unsuitable for minors of the age of the relevant children and students.
- provide opportunities for children and students to find, use, evaluate and present information and to develop the critical capacities to make discerning choices, so that they are prepared for exercising choices, so that they are prepared for exercising their freedom of access, with discrimination, as informed and skilled adults.
- represent a range of views on all issues
For consistency, the general selection
criteria that will follow the broad selection criteria is also from the same
reputable South Australian guidelines.
1.Authority:
- Qualified and /or experienced author.
- Reputable sources of information.
- Recognised publisher/producer.
- Information is accurate.2. Physical format and technical quality:
- Quality materials.
- Sturdy construction.
- Attractive presentation and clear reproduction.
- Software is compatible with the network and must be tested before purchase.3.Arrangement of material:
- Content is easily accessible.
- Instructions and support materials are adequate, clear, comprehensive and effective.4. Appropriateness:
- Content, language, symbols and concepts are at a suitable level for the intended user.5.Currency:
- Information presented must be up-to-date.6.Cost:
- Value for money.
- May be used across a number of curriculum areas and levels.7.Availability:
- Currently available to schools.
- Readily available to schools.8.Format:
- The most suitable medium to present the subject matter. This includes paperback, hardback, big book, newspapers, magazines, audio cassettes and CDs, video cassettes, DVDs, kits, realia, games, charts, posters, slides, film, computer software, CD-ROM and online resources.9. Controversial material:
- Consider any controversial content and/or issues.Retrieved from:
