Reflecting on Module 7

Dictionaries, Directories, Handbooks and Yearbooks as Reference Sources?

I was surprised at what I learned from lesson seven.  I never really considered dictionaries, directories, yearbooks and handbooks to be reference materials.  I did not consider these to be reference materials in the sense that they would be used by students to conduct research and answer their questions.  However, by examining the definitions and uses of these materials, I realized that they are reference sources.  They can provide basic and quick access to single facts or figures (Riedling).

After realizing that directories, handbooks and yearbooks are reference materials I tried to think of when and how I have used these sources in such a way.  Every school year we are provided with a handbook.  Within the handbook, teachers can find forms, calendars and facts which will assist them during the year.  While I would  never use it to conduct formal research, it does act as a point of reference for basic enquiries.  Every school year we are also provided with yearbooks.  These yearbooks provide student names and pictures.  While they are mainly for students to reflect upon their school year(s), they do provide a quick reference as to which students go to our school, what their names are and what they look like.  The yearbook does help in researching for formal projects, but can be useful in helping identify students and staff.

While yearbooks, handbooks, directories and dictionaries are not traditional reference materials used for researching, they do act as a point of reference when in need of a basic facts.

The History of the Dictionary…

As an avid historian, this week’s readings provided an interesting explanation of the history of the dictionary.  I never realized that Homer was the first person to great a dictionary/glossary.  I also did not know that glossary is based on the root word gloss (meaning word).  Furthermore, I was intrigued by Dr. Johnson’s 1755 dictionary.  He created it with the purpose of preserving the purity of language through demonstrating its proper usage.

In Conclusion…

Lesson seven provided me with an interesting lesson in the history of the dictionary.  It also made me realize and appreciate the uses that directories, handbooks and yearbooks can serve as reference materials.