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The Ministry of Education, Skills and Training promotes the establishment of a resource-rich learning environment through the evaluation of educationally appropriate materials intended for use by teachers and students. The media formats include, but are not limited to, materials in print, video, and software, as well as combinations of these formats. Resources that support provincial curricula are identified through an evaluation process that is carried out by practising teachers. It is expected that classroom teachers will select resources from those that meet the provincial criteria and that suit their particular pedagogical needs and audiences. Teachers who wish to use non-provincially recommended resources to meet specific local needs must have these resources evaluated through a local district approval process.
The use of learning resources involves the teacher as a facilitator of learning. However, students may be expected to have some choice in materials for specific purposes, such as independent reading or research. Teachers are encouraged to use a variety of resources to support learning outcomes at any particular level. A multimedia approach is also encouraged.
Some selected resources have been identified to support cross-curricular focus areas. The ministry also considers special-needs audiences in the evaluation and annotation of learning resources. As well, special-format versions of some selected resources (braille and taped-book formats) are available.
Learning resources for use in BC schools fall into one of two categories: provincially recommended materials or locally evaluated materials.
All learning resources used in schools must have recommended designation or be approved through district evaluation and approval policies.
Materials evaluated through the provincial evaluation process and approved through Minister's Order are categorized as recommended materials. These resources are listed in Appendix B of each IRP.
Learning resources may be approved for use according to district policies, which provide for local evaluation and selection procedures.
Some teachers have found that the Internet (World Wide Web) is a useful source of learning resources. None of the material from this source has been evaluated by the ministry, in part because of the dynamic nature of the medium.
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Revised: July 8, 1998
