The University of Queensland

1. Purpose of the collection

The Library collects material in the subject area of education primarily to support the teaching and research requirements of the Graduate School of Education, which includes the Fred and Eleanor Schonell Special Education Research Centre. Because of the nature of the collection, it is used by staff and students from other faculties and schools, by students doing practical teaching at state schools, and also by external students.

2. Primary user groups served

The Library acquires material to support the curriculum within the Graduate School of Education which focuses on special education, educational policy, learning and human development, behaviour analysis, comparative and international education, instructional technology, schools and curriculum studies.

Postgraduate coursework focuses on teaching and learning, assessment, educational planning and reform, statistical methods, counselling and managing behaviour, developmental processes, educational psychology, school reform, curriculum design, literacy and reading, and educational planning, history and research.

The Library acquires material to support a number of Postgraduate programs, including the Bachelor of Educational Studies (Hons), the Graduate Bachelor of Education, Graduate Certificate in Education, the PG Diploma in Educational Studies, the PG Diploma in Professional Educational Studies, the PG Diploma in Educational Studies as well as postgraduate research degrees leading to the awards of Master of Education, Master of Educational Studies (Guidance and Counselling), Master of Educational Administration, Master of Educational Psychology, Master of Educational Studies (Coursework and Research) and Doctor of Philosophy. Most courses are also offered to off-campus and external students.

3. Description of the collection

The emphasis is on collecting recent publications. Older publications may be purchased to support teaching and research.

The library also collects material in electronic format, e.g. the full text of articles and papers through databases available on the World Wide Web and through the University of Queensland Library network.

Microform material - particular the ERIC collection of education resources - also supports the collection.

4. Interdisciplinary relationships

The School of Education shares common areas of interest with other schools such as School of Psychology, School of Social Work and Social Policy, School of Political Science and International Studies, etc.

5. Scope of current collecting

1. Languages collected

The bulk of the collection is in English, though no languages are excluded.

2. Geographical areas collected

No geographical area is specifically excluded.

3. Chronological periods collected

No chronological periods are specifically excluded.

4. Types (formats) of material collected

No types of material are excluded. The emphasis is on journals, monograph literature and video material. Curriculum material is collected without regard to format and includes kits, videos, games and electronic materials.

5. Publication dates

The emphasis is on collecting recent publications. Older publications may be purchased to support teaching and research.

6. Special considerations

Curriculum materials from Queensland and some other states and countries are collected and housed in a separate collection called Curriculum Reserve. This material is designed to support students during school practical teaching. Queensland senior syllabi are collected and some selected LOTE material is also purchased for the Curriculum Reserve Collection. Textbooks and resources for teachers are also included in this collection.

A collection of Educational Tests is maintained within the School rather than the Library.

Several courses in Education have notable enrolments by remote students

7. Conspectus

• General education is 3a. Special education is 3b. Educational policy is 3a.
• Learning and human development is 3a.
• Behaviour analysis (character and personality) is 3a.
• Comparative education is 2b. Most countries are represented for comparative international education. Of these, the UK is 3a, the USA is 3a, Canada is 2a, and New Zealand is 3a.
• Within instructional technology, textbooks and instructional materials is 1a, while audiovisual materials is 3a.
• In the area of curriculum studies, preschool is 2b, elementary is 2b, and secondary curriculum is 3a.
• School laws and legislation are 2b, school administration and organisation is 3b.
• Teaching and learning is 3a/3b. Theory and practice of education is 3a.
• Tests and assessment instruments are 2b. Measurement and testing are 3a. Multi-aptitude tests are 2b, while intelligence tests are 3b.
• Statistical methods is 3b.
• Student guidance and counselling is 3a.
• Literacy is 3b, while illiteracy is also 3b.
• Educational history and research is 3b.
• Educational psychology is 3b.
• Developmental processes
• Sensory motor is 3a, speech and hearing is 3a, character and personality is 3a, development is 3a, intelligence is 3a, and neuropsychological is 3b.

• Economics of education is 3a, education and the state is 3b, alternative schools is 2b.
• Preschool curriculum is 2b, elementary curriculum is 2b, secondary curriculum is 3a.
• Reading (elementary) is 3a. Reading (secondary) is 3a.
• Educational history is 2b, and educational research is 3b.