Syllabus
it.coe.uga.edu/~mfitzger/7340/syllabus.html
EDIT 7340: Issues in School Media Programs
Spring Semester, 2007
UGA at Gwinnett, Room C 1135

ready for August 2007
updated 9-10-07

Bottom | Agendas | Topics | Assignments | WebCT

Schedule
Selected Saturdays, 9am-3pm: Aug 18, Sep 15, Sep 29, Oct 13, Nov 10, Dec 8. Hold these dates but it's unlikely we'll use all of them.  We will use online instruction and collaboration to fill out the balance of our time.

Unlike your first year, this course needs to move along on a weekly basis.  In other words, things will happen each week. However, these "extra" events will not involve a scheduled time, but rather a deadline, usually on Saturday.

Instructor

Dr. Mary Ann Fitzgerald
604C Aderhold Hall
(706) 542-4030, Athens
(478) 785-6598, Macon
mfitzger@uga.edu
http://it.coe.uga.edu/~mfitzger

Objectives:

The learner will be able to:

1. Describe the processes of research, information service, and selection in the context of the overall mission of the school’s instructional program.
2. Assume a philosophical position on the role of the research process, information services, and the selection process in schools.
3. Describe and implement strategies for building effective information services and selection processes in a school media center.

We will depend heavily upon the Internet in this class for communication, resources, and information inquiry.  It is essential that you have access to a reliable computer and Internet connection.  I prefer that you use Microsoft Word or Google Documents for word processed assignments to prevent file format problems.   In addition, you may find the programs Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and also Inspiration useful. It's a good idea to carry a thumb drive to class. Laptops are welcome in class but not required.

• What is research?
• Types of research
• Exploring literature
• Establishing a theoretical frame around a problem
• Synthesizing literature

Instructional Strategies

Research
Case studies and scenarios
Assignments (see below)
Class discussions and small group discussions
Readings in texts and of current scholarly and practical articles
Individual presentations
Idea sharing
Reflection
Workshops
Wiki construction
Mock professional conference
Podcasts
Conferencing with instructor

Assignments
This  set of assignments may look like a collection of many small pieces.  However, if you look carefully, it's really one big assignment with two side pieces.

Grading Policy

1. It is my philosophy that every student can achieve an A with sufficient effort; this class is not a competitive event, nor are student performances rated in relation to others. UGA now uses a plus-minus grading system, with the exception of A+.  I believe that every student accepted into the SLM Program can achieve an A with sufficient effort.  I don't grade "on the curve."
2. A lot of thought goes into pacing assignments and arranging deadlines to be reasonable both for you to complete the assignments and for me to properly evaluate them.  As professionals, we mutually expect deadlines to be met. Please contact me if you have a problem with meeting a particular deadline. If an assignment is late, its score may be reduced. Also, please check with me if you feel that a deadline needs to be rescheduled, either for you personally or for the class as a whole.
3. Communication and writing skills are essential for media specialists, Master’s candidates, and Specialist candidates. Therefore, all writing must comply with grammatical and spelling rules and should look professional in a visual sense. Please use a word processor and laser or inkjet printer and avail yourself of the spelling and grammar-checking tools provided by your software. Web sites and projected materials should receive the same level of proofreading and care that printed papers do.  If errors or appearance detract from the quality of an assignment, the score will reflect this problem. I reserve the right to return severely flawed assignments to you without a grade so that you may repair them prior to my reading.  Most assignments have a "mechanics" criterion. Items that are written for public consumption in real life -- such as web pages -- should be as close to perfect as possible, in keeping with the professionalism expected of you in the field.  Items that are more reflective or just for me to evaluate will not be held to such a high standard. 
   
4. Format.  Most assignment descriptions specify the form in which each assignment should be turned in. Please pay careful attention to this detail. For example, I may request prints, email attachments, a web address, or a combination of these.  Most times, I will ask for both written and electronic versions.  Number pages.  Please do not use bulky binders or folders - a simple staple is sufficient, or spiral binding if the project is larger. To save paper, it's ok to print on recycled paper (backs of discarded sheets). It's also ok to print front and back, if you also staple down the side like a book. Use a 12-point font. You should also post your assignment on your assignment page - unless privacy will be compromised (as in the case of Field Experiences).  This provides a sharing opportunity for all class members and provides digital backup for print assignments.
5. Rubrics include a column for self-assessment.   Explain your deductions in writing on the rubric.
6. As scholars, it is essential for you to give credit to any other sources consulted in the course of completing any assignment. Use in-line citations as appropriate.  List these in a reference list near the end of the project, and please follow APA style (4th or 5th edition acceptable).
7. Resubmit option: I believe in mastery learning, a learning model in which students have the opportunity to keep working at a skill until they have accomplished it. My rubrics are designed so that the professionally-acceptable level matches the "A."  If you receive less than a 90% score on any assignment, you may correct the problem(s) and resubmit up until the last class meeting. If you choose to use this option, you must resubmit the original assignment and scoring sheet/rubric along with your revised assignment.  
8. The Graduate School frowns upon "Incomplete" grades.  If you run into medical or family difficulties, please discuss your options with me - documentation may be required.  I will not give an Incomplete except under extraordinary conditions.
9. Tracking. Your final grade should come as no surprise to you if you keep up with your scores. I will use the WebCT Gradebook.
10. Academic honesty. All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty." Students are responsible for informing themselves about those standards before performing any acadmic work. More information about academic honesty can be found at http://www.uga.edu/ovpi/honesty/acadhon.htm.
    

In this class, participation is of the utmost importance. As in many graduate classes, a major benefit is interacting with your peers. To miss any class seriously compromises your learning. I expect you to have a professional attitude of wanting to participate and to contribute fully in this class and to give it a high priority in your plans. However, family and job responsibilities at times interfere, and I understand this fact of life. To help my planning process, please let me know ahead of time if you need to be absent.

I do not wish to be in the position of judging whether an absence should be excused or not.  Where I feel that inadequate attendance has compromised your learning - with little or no effort on your part to make up for lost time - I will deduct a percentage of the participation grade.

You are responsible for material missed, and it's up to you to ask your friends about what happened in class and to study the agenda. Please don't ask me: "What did I miss?" However, I am happy to answer specific questions about topics covered. You are welcome to arrange a meeting with me so that we can plan an avenue for you to fill in the gaps in your learning.  In most cases, the Agenda will be the best clue of what happened in class.  I have no problem with tape recorders in class.

Special Needs
If you need special assistance due to a physical or learning disability, please let me know. I will be happy to accommodate you in any way that I can.

Assignments and Homework
I carefully set due dates for assignments that I predict will be reasonable in terms of pacing and the preparation time required.  Through negotiation and ensuing discussion, we may adjust these deadlines as we go along. Please let me know if you see that major work logjams are ahead. Course content is grouped around assignments, so advance planning is best. 

The goal of readings and "homework" assignments is to prepare all of us for class interaction.  Secondarily, these readings and activities help fill in the gaps of your knowledge that we can't cover in class.  Expect to study topics on your own until you understand them, using the many resources listed.  I have prioritized the readings to help you manage your tasks. The assignments call upon you to apply everything you've learned, as opposed to testing you about facts you have temporarily memorized.

Unlike some professors, I find it impossible to construct a reading schedule at the beginning of the semester because I tend to adjust the agenda as we progress.  Cohort 5 requested a bi-weekly reading list, and I will continue this tradition.  That is, at the end of each class or by Wednesday following, I will post or email you a neatly bulleted preparation list for the next class.

Ground Rules

• Wear a name tag.
• Cell phones: please turn the ringer off during class and leave the room if you must take a call.
• Please do not hesitate to take comfort breaks as needed. Several breaks will be provided.
• The Honker Horn will gently call us to order after each break.
• I prefer to operate on a first name basis.
• Participants must comply with all computer policies established by UGA and the Gwinnett University Center.
• Feel free to interrupt with points and questions.  Conversely, avoid monopolizing the discussion. I will also feel free to redirect when things seem to get off track.
• There are NO stupid questions.  As media specialists, one of your jobs is to empower students to find their own answers.  I will try to model this behavior - and so you may not always get direct answers.  Do everything you can to find your own answers, including asking your peers.
• Conversely, as a student in the class, it is your responsibility to help other students as much as you can.  We need an atmosphere of mutual learning and inquiry.  Also, troubleshooting and teaching another person to do something are very effective ways of bolstering your own understanding.  Media specialists usually enjoy helping other people solve problems and questions.
• We will not criticize people we know who are working in the field.  Instead, we may criticize ineffective practices and strive to discover more effective ones.
• GUC doesn't like us to move furniture around. Please help me leave our classroom arranged and clean like we found it.

• The class web site is the key to everything. Let me know if you see mistakes or think of an improvement.
• Our SLM-L listserv is absolutely critical for broadcasting messages.
  
• Daily agenda. A day or so before class, I will post an agenda for the next class's events. Please read the agenda on the evening before class. Some students find it helpful to print out a copy and bring it to class.  You are responsible for details on this agenda even if you don't attend class. The agenda will also hold the official class calendar.
• Folder system:  each student will have a folder that we will exchange each class. Pick it up at the beginning of class, and return it at the end.  I will distribute graded work through these folders, and you should place any printed assignments in the folder.  Also, check for any handouts that we might need as you pick up your folder.
• Assignment pages:  post your assignments on this page, and I will visit it as needed for grading. Feel free to visit other students' pages. Please don't share the assignment pages with people outside the class, however.  Your online assignment page - kept up to date each semester - can form the beginning of your final certification portfolio.  Make sure to keep electronic copies of all your projects, even if you don't house them in your own web space.
• We will use WebCT as needed, for the Gradebook, and as inspiration strikes. Work groups may like to use it for their internal discussions. Feel free.  Also, set the email function within WebCT to forward to your usual email account; I do like the high reliability and convenience of this service and will use it occasionally.