A fallacy I keep hearing is that a complex tool is required for complex
research. Yet what is complex about research is the process of winnowing and
directing knowledge discovery, and I haven't seen any convincing evidence
that transmitting the information for how to successfully research a topic
is improved by software environments so difficult they must be learned. It
would appear the opposite is true: when the activity is complex, tools must
be simplified. Another fallacy seems to be that the role of the librarian is
to explain the functions of complex software. I hope we have a more stable
role in the pedagogical firmament than that.
In any event, this discussion is all so many angels on heads of pins.
K.G. Schneider
kgs_at_bluehighways.com
Received on Mon May 07 2007 - 07:48:56 EDT