The Internet Archive is website that is continually building a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts such as video, audio, and books. The site provides free access to researchers, historians, scholars, and the general public. It is sponsored by a number of reputable sources (http://archive.org/about) and a member of the American Library Association.
Type of Material:
Collection
Recommended Uses:
It would be useful for research, both individual and whole class as well as small groups.
Technical Requirements:
Website contains audio and video files in multiple formats. Having standard plug-ins such as Flash Player, QuickTime, Windows Media should allow users to view most files.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Like a paper library, the Internet Archive provides free access to researchers, historians, scholars, the print disabled, and the general public. The mission is to provide "Universal Access to All Knowledge."
Target Student Population:
Grade School, Middle School, High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None needed, however viewing the Introductory Tour of Archive.org and its Collections (22 min) will help users gain an overall understanding of the huge site and where they may want to start searching. This clip is found by clicking on the Help button at the top center and then looking under the Promoted articles list (7th one down).
Search criteria ahead of time would be helpful. It would be easy to get lost in the library.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The intent of the Internet Archive is to save everything from the Internet so the collection is massive. By clicking on the Help button at the top center users will find the three main content areas--Archive.org, The Wayback Machine, and Reources Guides along with other supporting information. By clicking on each of these main content areas will help the users get started in their research. Since this is an open library, users with accounts are able to upload information to to the collections.
Concerns:
Those with accounts are able to add reviews to items. Not all items have reviews and not all reviews are equal in focus or thought. Users need to remember that the Internet Archive is trying to save everything so although this is understandable, it makes the reviews that do exist uneven in quality.
This is an open library, which allows members to upload materials. It is not clear whether materials are vetted or reviewed, nor are copyright or creative commons licenses indicated.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
By going to Resource Guides (under help button at top center) users can find ten differen guides that are designated as Kid-Friendly--General, Actiivities, Animals, Mathematics, Mythology, Outer Space, Physical Education, Racial Equality Books for Kids, Software and Video Games for Kids, and World Language. There are also five more general interest resource guides for all--Religion, 100 Great Books by Black Women, Anitracist & Racial Equalituy Reading List, Man Booker Prize Winners, and Most Challenged Books since 2010. With an account, users are able to borrow these books. There are some basic search filters that may help users discover and find content.
The collection is huge. It contains items that might not be available in a university or community library. Searches result in myriad materials.
Concerns:
It is quite easy to become lost in the library. Searches do have filters but they are not especially complex, so the results of a search can be overwhelming, especially to inexperienced researchers.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Users can search content for Web, Books, Video, Audio, Software, and Images by clicking their choice from the listing across the top of the page. Once a choice has been clicked, a drop-down menu provides listings for featured and top choices. On the left hand panel there are more filters for Metadata or text, texts, lending library, year, topic/subject, Collection, Creator, and language.
Concerns:
Because the material is not vetted in any way, quality of material found in search may vary.
Creative Commons:
Search by ISBN?
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entered as an ISBN number?
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
