Bókasafnið - 01.02.1988, Page 56

BOKASAFNIÐ
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tion needs. Thc approach is based on the language they
use to define their needs - the keywords of the classroom
and their own experience which summarise their know-
ledge of the topic.
The microcomputer is used at the information re-
trieval stage when pupils can search small databases of
information which havebeen indexed using curriculum-
based keywords.
Techniques such as questioning, keyword mapping
and keyword clustering were used by pupils to plan an
enquiry or summarize and organise information.
In phase 2 of the project, MISLIP has been concer-
ned with analysing the effect of the key word approach on
all those involved - pupils, teachers and librarians.
An important feature of the project is that teachers
and librarians have taken charge of their own research
and development.
These methods are not new but by bringing them
together within an information skills context MISLIP
has been able to demonstrate a meaningful link bctween
information skills and information technology. KAL can
be helpful wether the search procedure involves the use
of a key worded database or not. The microcomputer can,
however, complement this approach by providing a
quick and flexible means of following up their lines of
enquiry and suggesting altemative search routes and top-
ics.
(IS)
Guðrún Pálsdóttir:
Different schoolbooks?-page 25
In this interview Dr. Gunnar Karlsson historian explains
his aim in writing a series of new schoolbooks about the
history of Iceland, Sjálfstœði Jslendinga (The independ-
ence of the Icelanders). The books are designed for chil-
dren aged 11,12 and 13 years.
In Gunnar’s books an emphasis is put on the stu-
dents answering questions, commonly based on their
feelings and understanding of the persons and their
actions. The author often asks them to describe their
point of view and appeals to their common sense.
The text is written in an easy language and the
children find these schoolbooks a pleasant reading.
In Sjálfstæði Islendinga the children cover fewer
events and persons than in older history books but read
more about each one.
(GP/KG)
Heimir Pálsson:
Media and textbooks - page 28
The article discusses book reviews on textbooks.
The author maintains that Icelandic media neglects
textbook reviews.
The major part of the nation reads little else than
schoolbooks nine months of the year, but the newspapers
however seldom publish book reviews on schoolbooks
as textbooks. The author has himself written two text-
books on Icelandic literature. Something was written
about the first one, but as a history of literature, not as a
textbook. The latter has never been reviewed proper-ly in
the newspapers.
In Iceland it is very important how the school-
children learn about their own literature, that has been
praised so much. The author asks for intellectual and
academic discussions about textbooks in media. It is very
important that the school-children get what is best be-
cause the future is founded in the schools.
(ÞÓ)
Guðrún Pálsdóttir:
How are good books for
children written? - page 29
This is an interview with Dr. Stefán Aðalsteinsson about
his books for children and young people. Stefán has
written four books for children: Sauðkindin, landið og
þjóðin (The sheep, country and nation), Ilúsdýrin okkar
(Our domestic animals), Fuglarnir okkar (Ourbirds) and
Villtu spendýrin okkar (Our wild mammals). These four
books have been published by the publishing company
Bjallan, which specializes in non-fiction material for
children.
Stefán works at the Agricultural Research Institute
of Iceland. He has been researching the colour inheri-
tance of Icelandic sheep for years and now he and two
other Icelandic scientists have published new theories
about the inheritance of fox colours.
While Stefán was writing these books he worked in
close collaboration with the photographers, especially
Kristján Ingi Einarsson, who took all the pictures in
Húsdýrin okkar. Stefán always asked specialists review
the text to prevent scientific errors. He also read the text
aloud to children or they read it themselves and told him
if they found a word or a phrase they didn’t understand.
Stefán has received very good critique for his books
and was rewarded by the National Centre for Educatio-
nal Materials for Sauðkindin, landið og þjóðin and he
and Kristián Ingi Einarsson for Húsdýrin okkar.
(GP/KG)
Einar Sigurðsson:
The University Library
- future prospects - page 32
About thirty years ago a decision was made by the
Althing (Icelandic Legislative Assembly) to merge the
University Library (about 260.000 volumes at present)
and the National Library (about 380.000 volumes).
In 1978 the construction of a new library building,
which will accommodate the new library after the mer-
ger, was started on a site near the University of Iceland.
The construction has been delayed for financial reasons
but the building should be completed after a few years.
Examples from other parts of the world, where
libraries serve this double function of a national library
and a university library, are cited with special reference
to the development in the other Nordic countries. The