| Extended Course Description: | Catalog Course Description:
Introduces the field of school libraries/media centers. Examines the context in which K12 information programs and services exist; explores key concepts related to information work in schools; explains the major functions of the school-based information professional; and provides opportunities for students to determine their interest in the field.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites:
None.
Curriculum Role:
This course is required for students in the School Library/Media concentration and open to other graduate students as well. It is a pre-requisite for INFO 891. Students interested in the School Library Media concentration should take this course early in their programs to gain a foundation for related courses.
Course Rationale:
School library and media programs and services are integral to the educational mission of the school. To function effectively, K12 library and media professionals must understand the historical, organizational, and contemporary contexts of these programs and services; the principles of information literacy that underlie them; the roles of the 21st-century school-based information professional (teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, and administrator); and the importance of leadership, collaboration, and the effective use of technology to the fulfillment of school library/media goals.
Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
• Analyze the historical, organizational, and contemporary contexts of school library and media programs.
• Explain the impact of these contexts on the development and improvement of library and media programs and services and on the professionals responsible for them.
• Identify and characterize the objectives, functions, and clients of school library and media programs and services.
• Describe the roles played by school library/media programs and services and by K12 library and media professionals in support of student learning.
• Describe the importance of collaboration, leadership, and the effective use of technology in developing and administering school library/media programs and services that are integral to teaching and learning.
• Relate research in the school library/media field to the design and development of high-quality programs and services.
• Apply key concepts related to information work in schools to particular settings.
Course Content:
Principal topics and the approximate number of weeks devoted to each:
• Objectives, functions, and clients of school library and media programs and services (1)
• Historical, organizational, and contemporary contexts of school libraries and media centers (2)
• Roles of the school-based information professional: teacher, instructional partner, information specialist, and program administrator (1)
• Research in the school library/media field (1)
• Information literacy concepts and strategies (1)
• Collaboration and the library/media specialist (1)
• The leadership role of the library/media specialist (1)
• School observations (1)
• Student presentations (1)
Presentation:
Note: Presentation methods may vary somewhat from section to section.
Lecture, reading and reflection, discussion, and individual observations and presentations
Assessment:
Note: Assessment methods may vary somewhat from section to section.
Reflection and discussion assignments, analysis of school setting presentation
|
