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Education: Home

A guide to finding information in education. Includes links to key resources and sources of help.

Get started by using books

Books

Great for summaries and background information books are a reliable, easy to understand source. You will find most Education professional studies (Call Numbers 370-379) and Primary education texts (Call number 372) on the 2nd Floor. You'll find Secondary teaching material by subject across the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Floors. Head to the 3rd Floor Teaching Practice Collection for children's material you can use in schools. 

Find your reading list

Use your module reading list to find books recommended by your lecturer. Find the link on the module site on Blackboard or via the link below.

Find books on a topic using the catalogue

Alternatively search for a specific book or books on topic using the Enterprise catalogue (search box below).


Extend your search using journal articles

For the latest information on specific topics use journal articles.

Summon articles you can read straightaway

For quick access to articles available to students at Reading search Summon for your topic using the box below. 



Go one step beyond...

Explore further using these resources:

Your Academic Liaison Librarians

Contact us for support with referencing, searching for information and other queries about using the Library.

For PGCE; PgCE; BA Primary Education; FDCDL; BACDL; PGCert Early Years; PGCert Reflective Practice

Contact: Charlotte Dormer (she/her)

Based at the Learning Hub on London Road. 
Make an appointment with me in person at London Road or via Microsoft Teams. I can also support you with any queries about using the Learning Hub.

Email: c.n.k.dormer@reading.ac.uk
Telephone: 0118 378 2718
Book an appointment with Charlotte

For BA Education Studies; PGCert Healthcare Education; MA Education; MA ELE; EdD; PhD Education; Academic Practice Programme

Contact: Rachel Redrup

Working weekday mornings to early afternoon. Based at University Library, Whiteknights Mon-Wed, Fri; London Road Thursdays. Make an appointment with me in person at either site or via Microsoft Teams.

Email: r.m.j.redrup@reading.ac.uk
Telephone: 0118 378 2718
Book an appointment with Rachel

Tips on evaluating resources

Success

Before believing the information given on a web site, or quoting it in your essay or project, think about the following:

Authority

  • Who is responsible for the page/site?
  • Is it a reliable organisation (eg a well known university) or a subject expert?
  • Can you trust them?

Accuracy and reliability

  • Is the information correct?
  • Is the grammar and spelling correct?
  • Is it complete, or are they just giving one point of view?
  • Do they have their own agenda eg political organisations?
  • Is the information fact or opinion?

Currency

  • Can you tell how up-to-date it is?
  • Is it regularly updated?
  • You don't want to quote out-of-date information

Audience / relevance

  • Is the information of the right level to be quoted in your project? If it is aimed at the general public or school children it might not be!

Feel!

  • Is the site well structured and easy to navigate?
  • Are the links from the page up-to-date and valid?
  • If it is well designed and maintained then you can feel more confident about the information it provides