Availability and use of printed, audiovisual and electronic information by high school teachers of communication and social sciences in public educational institutions in Peru

The purpose of this study is to explore the availability and use of printed, audiovisual and electronic information by high school teachers in the areas of Communication, Social Sciences and the Person, Family and Human Relations from a sample of public schools of Lima, as well as to ascertain teachers' perception regarding their information needs and interests. This study was carried out by means of surveys, focus groups, semi-structured interviews and observation of the sites, equipment, library collections and innovative education classrooms. The results of this research may be useful for the educational authorities to determine institutional policies that promote teachers' professional development and ongoing education as well as improving the quality of teaching and learning. © 2010 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/New York.