RESOURCE SELECTION GUIDELINES

SELECTION CRETERIA
Selection is an ongoing process. The selection team will always be guided by selection criteria in order to select quality resources. There are general and specific criteria.
We are going to look at specific criteria for the following:

• Non fiction
• Fiction
• Graphic resources
• Audio visual Resources

NON FICTION
Non fiction includes encyclopedias, almanacs, dictionaries anthologies, atlas, handbook pamphlets, periodicals and information books.

SCOPE AND PURPOSE

• Fulfil the purpose of the item (quick reference browsing. or extensive research)
• Support and enrich the curriculum
• Balance of the subject coverage: in dept detailed account or general overview, as appropriate

READABILITY

• Text, print size and style of writing should be appropriate to the intended reader
• Style of writing should be appropriate to the purpose or intention of the author
• Text is smooth to read, clear, concise, interesting and non repetitive
• Language use reflects the intended use of item
• Reading levels matches the users experience, interest level and capability

ACCURACY

• Information is accurate and up -to -date
• Vital facts are not omitted or over simplified

EDUCATIONAL SOUNDNESS

• Support the curriculum framework and outcomes focused education
• Is learner focused (has purpose, meaning and relevance for the learner

ORGANISATION OF INFORMATION

• Clear and functional
• Contain index, table of content, glossary, bibliography
• as appropriate.
• Clearly defined chapters / sections

PAGE LAYOUT

• Headings and subheadings clearly defined
• Text well spaced and organized into paragraphs
• Background colour/ borders/ illustrations do not interfere with the text
• Adequate use of space

BIAS

• Avoid stereotypes in text or illustrations
• Avoid biased opinions/ value judgments
• Reflect gender equity principles of social justice (includes sex race physical and intellectual disability, cultural groupings)

ILLUSTRATIONS

• Support or extend the information base of the text
• May include diagrams, maps, graphics photographs drawings, paintings tables
• Positioned relevant to the text
• Clear attractive and or interesting
• Labelled /captioned effectively /accurately

FICTION PRINT RESOURCES
This includes picture books, story books, beginning readers early books, graphic novels and novels

PURPOSE

• Provide enjoyment
• Stimulates imagination
• Develop language
• Extend the students experience
• Develop discriminatory and independent readers
• Support the curriculum
• Develop life long readers

READABILITY

• Text and print size appropriate to the intended reader
• Text is smooth to read, clear and concise
• Reading level of the item matches the users experience and capability

LANGUAGE

• Appropriate to the plot, theme and characters
• Imaginative and interesting with natural dialogue and clear descriptions
• Concepts developed by the language appropriate for the age/ maturity of the intended reader
• Style of writing is appropriate to the genre
• Provides the opportunity for students to practice/extended literacy skills.

CONTENT PLOT

• Stimulate the readers imagination
• Encourages awareness of issues
• Story interesting and entertaining
• Sequence of events is logical and within the genre believable
• Factual elements are correct

THEME

• Easily identified
• Resolution of conflict within acceptable moral codes and behavioural modes
• Avoids moralizing and didacticism
  
  CHARACTERISATION
• Convincing and credible
• Characters develop and grow
• Avoid stereotyping by gender, race, disability or culture

OTHER CONSIDERATION
Compare with other work produced the same author in the same genre or by other authors.

CURRRICULUM RELEVANCE
May be used to support non fiction curriculum learning areas i.e. links can be made across the curriculum

PAGE LAYOUT

• Content well spaced and logical organized
• Background colour/borders/illustrations do not interfere with readability of the text

ILLUSTRATIONS

• Appropriateness placed/poisoned
• Clear attractive and or interesting

PURPOSE

• Enhance readability of the text
• Enhance /extended elements of the story
• Appropriateness to the reading level/interest/maturity level of the reader

BIASENESS

• Avoid stereotypes in text or illustrations
• Avoid biased opinions/value judgements
• Reflects gender equity principles of social justice includes race, sex, physical and intellectual disability, cultural grouping

SENSITIIVE ISSUES

• Elements of language may be unacceptable to some members of the school community
• Treatment of the issues e.g. sex, violence, drugs, AIDS, death, religion, the supernatural

CHARTS

• It includes maps, diagram, pictures,
• Clear and logical
• Information and graphics uncluttered
• Overall size and print size appropriate for intended use
• Attractively presented to generate interest
• Simplify information and summaries key concepts
• Support a specific educational purpose

GAMES

• Support an educational purpose
• Safety aspects e.g. size of pieces, sharp edges
• Parking/storage to facilitate long term use
• Durability of game pieces
• Accompanying instructions-clear and appropriate for the intended user
• Attractive, interesting, stimulating and fun.
  NB Kids like bright colour

MODELS

• Support educational purpose
• Durable construction
• Size, weight appropriate for intended use
• Attractive and interesting
• Easy to use
   

AUDIO-VISUAL RESOURCES

• It includes audiocassettes, videocassettes, sides, film etc.

AUDIO CASSETTES

• Sound clarity
• Clear pronunciation
• Reading is paced
• Background music /sound effects appropriate
• Abridged or full text version as appropriate
• Story reading or dramatized version
• Length appropriate for intended user
• Accompanying teachers notes -appropriate, useful and relevant

VIDEO CASSETTES

• Clarity of sound
• Visually appealing
• Voice production clear and suited for intended purpose and user
• Accuracy and currency of visual information
• Content appropriate for intended user
• Variety in presentation
• Production well paced
• Length appropriate for the intended user

NB we are still working on this document.