Reference Materials

We use the internet for a variety of things today. One of the main tools that I personally use it for is a reference. I am constantly using search engines to look up information that I do not know. I find using multimedia products very useful in the classroom. My first graders are very curious and are frequently asking me questions. There are many times that I do not know the answer and will use a search engine to look up the information. In the book it states how most of the major encyclopedias are no longer published exclusively in book format. I find this sad, because even though the world today is dominated by technology, I feel students should still learn how to use books as a reference. What happens if the technology is not available? Will the students not know how to use reference materials that are not technology oriented? Students should be taught how to use the online reference materials as well as books. Students need to be taught how to use reference materials appropriately. When I was in school, we learned how to use reference materials in the library. I am not positive they still do this, but it would be very helpful for students. Reference materials are such a wonderful tool that everyone can learn to use.