What are the best sources for acquiring information

Information comes in many forms from textbooks, novels, internet, people, nature, etc. When and how should these sources of inormation be used?

Steiner Waldorf schools do not introduce textbook learning until the age of seven and even then students "use few textbooks - instead they learn to prepare their own illustrated and hand-written main lesson books as they go along. In the early classes, the teacher often dictates some of the text after thorough discussion of the subject matter with the class. In later years the children start writing and drawing their own accounts of the lesson and finally even bind the books themselves. This experience lays the basis for the independent taking of notes during classes in the Upper School." This approach is similar to notebooking in which the students are provided with general guidelines for their subject of study and then required to find the information to complete their notebooks. The result is the writing of their own "textbook".

Many homeschoolers follow the public school approach by using textbooks/workbooks throughout all grade levels. The Charlotte Mason method uses "living books rather than dry textbooks. Living books are usually written in story form by one author who has a passion for the subject. A living book makes the subject “come alive.” (Mason) taught spelling by using passages from great books that communicate great ideas rather than just a list of words."

These are just some of the information sources available to the homeschooler. Which of these are best for different learners? How often are a mix of these sources used?