Syllabus
it.coe.uga.edu/~mfitzger/6900/syllabus.html
EDIT 6900: Research in Instructional Technology
Fall Semester, 2008
UGA at Gwinnett

updated: 10-6-08
link change 11-3-08

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Schedule
Saturdays:

• Aug 16: 9a-11a
• Sep 13: 9a-11a
• Sep 27: 9a-12n (stay for lunch if you like, 12-12:30)
• Oct 11: 9a-3p
• Nov 1: 9a-2p (virtual)
• Nov 15: 9a-12:30 (including lunch)
  

We will use online instruction and collaboration to fill out the balance of our time.

Instructor

Dr. Mary Ann Fitzgerald
Associate Professor
604C Aderhold Hall
(706) 542-4030, Athens
mfitzger at uga.edu
http://it.coe.uga.edu/~mfitzger
For more contact details, check the WebCT homepage for this course.

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.

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.
I will provide detailed instructions for completing each of these, which will be available near the first day of class. Due dates will be discussed on the first day.

Grading Policy

1. Projects are constructed to be as authentic as possible.  They are often large and challenging, but they are also realistic.  Detailed rubrics are provided to guide students to a high standard of performance.
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. Most are submitted via WebCT. 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 backup. 
5. 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 (5th edition).
6. 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. If you receive less than a 90% score on any assignment, you may correct the problem(s) and resubmit up until the final due date.  If you choose to use this option, you must resubmit the original assignment and scoring sheet/rubric along with your revised assignment.  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.
7. I follow the Graduate School's policy of using the Incomplete grade only in the case of documented illness or other unavoidable emergency.  If you feel you have the need and justification for an Incomplete, you must communicate with me as soon as possible and document your difficulty.
8. Plus/minus grading: the Graduate School strongly encourages faculty to use plus-minus grading.  However, note that the A+ grade is not possible.  The plain "A" is the highest possible grade. A-, B+, B, B-, etc., are all possible. Scale: 94 and up = A. 90-93 = A-. 88-89 = B+. 83-87 = B. 80-82 = B-. 78-79 = C+. 73-77=C. 70-72=C-. Below that: retake class.
9. 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 academic work. More information about academic honesty can be found at http://www.uga.edu/honesty/.
10. Collaborative option.  I have specified the preferred mode for each assignment - individual or group. Collaboration has many benefits and is a professional competency SLMSs must have. However, it is possible to use another mode, especially for individuals to complete group assignments.  Please let me know if you want to exercise this option for any assignment.  All members of a group receive the same grade for their group's product.  If you have a problem in finding a group, please let me know; I will help match-make. Groups should be no larger than three people.

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. Over the years, the high level of professionalism among our Cohorts has lead to excellent attendance.

However, family and job responsibilities at times interfere, and I understand this fact of life. Please let me know ahead of time if you need to be absent, to help my planning process.

I do not wish to be in the position of judging whether an absence should be excused or not. I will simply take attendance and figure this as a percentage of your Participation score. If I feel that excessive absences have compromised your learning, this will be reflected in your score in that category.  A pattern of absences across your semesters of work with us will cause problems, so strive to avoid this.  One way to balance out problems caused by absences is the Absentee Giveback.

One of my pet peeves is to be asked: "Sorry I was absent - what did I miss?" You are responsible for material missed, and it's up to you to ask your friends about what happened, without placing any further burden on me. I cannot repeat events that happened in class, although I make many resources available to you through this website.  The agenda will usually help you to figure out what happened.  Please talk with classmates to help you with this.  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, but it's your responsibility to take the initiative.

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.
 

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 often priorize readings to help you manage your tasks. The assignments call upon you to apply everything you've learned.

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.

• Wear a name tag.
  
• I prefer to operate on a first name basis.
• There are NO stupid questions.  As media specialists, one of your jobs is to empower students to find their own answers.  First, explore on your own, using the research skills and resources available to you.  Second, ask your professional peers.  Finally, if you're still not satisfied, ask me.
• 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.
• Please avoid monopolizing discussions, and avoid side conversations during presentations. Lots of time for talking will be provided!  These two little things make many class members uncomfortable and frustrated.
• During class, feel free to interrupt with points and questions.  I will also feel free to redirect when things seem to get off track.
• 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.
• 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 call us to order after each break.
• Please help me leave our classroom arranged and clean like we found it.
• Participants must comply with all computer policies established by UGA.

Communication:

• Methods for "pushing" messages to you:
• Urgent, must-see items will come over SLM-L with this class named in the message header.
• I will blog about many topics that are less urgent but still important enough for the entire class to hear.  The blog for this class is cohort7.wordpress.com.  I highly recommend that you subscribe to it via RSS or email.
• I use my website for posting public information that changes only periodically. It is roughly indexed here.
  
• I use WebCT/Resources for items that need to be protected behind a password. In addition, I try to centralize most course materials on the WebCT HomePage for this course (most are links out to my website).
  
• WebCT is not ideal for email, but you should check for notifications on your MyWebCT page every day or two. (Even better, have them forwarded to your primary email account.)
  
• I will email you directly about individual matters.  Make sure that I have your primary email address.  We prefer you to use your UGA account for email for many reasons; remember that you can usually have UGAMail imported into another preferred email service.
• Make sure that I have your most current phone numbers and mailing address. 
  
• Ways you may contact me:
• My communication policy is have the "door" open as much as possible.  I get up very early and don't mind early phone calls.  You can also call me at night, but I may be asleep after 9pm. 
  
• Most things, however, can be done through email (mfitzger@uga.edu). I strive to clear my Inbox each day, with the exception of weekends, holidays, and travel days.
  
• You are welcome to call me at my home telephone number.  While this number is not private, I will protect it to a certain degree; you can find it on the WebCT homepage for this class.  I have an answering machine and I check it regularly.
  
• It is difficult for me to return phone calls via long distance, because of cumulative cost (UGA does not reimburse off-campus long distance). 
  
• Skype is an excellent way to talk for free.   You can also IM me through Skype.  My ID is listed on the WebCT homepage.
  
• If all else fails, try my cell number (also on the WebCT homepage) or  the office (706-542-3810).
• I've pretty much abandoned fax technology in favor of scanned images sent through email.  If the need for this comes up, let's talk.
• US Mail: my home mailing address is also on the WebCT homepage.  I visit Athens irregularly, and so mail sent there may be forgotten for days or weeks.  If I know something has been mailed, I will remember to have staff check on it for me.

• All course materials may be found from within WebCT.  In addition, most course materials may be found from the course home page.
• 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.
• We will use little or no paper in this class, either for handouts or for student work.  Most assignments go a). in the WebCT dropbox, and b). on your online assignment page.
• Assignment pages:  post your assignments on this page. Feel free to visit other students' pages. Remember that anything posted on Assignment Pages is public. 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.  We will not use it heavily for bulletin board purposes, although you are welcome to use this feature on your own. Chat and interactive audio (Wimba) are also available to you within WebCT.  We can set up discussion boards that are private within groups, at your request. 
  
• When you see errors or inconsistencies (large or small) in course materials, please point them out to me.

Research

As a college professor interested in the scholarship of teaching and learning, I routinely collect, analyze, interpret, and report data as it concerns my courses, the cohort model, and the SLM Program. This allows continual improvement over time, and the opportunity to add to the body of knowledge regarding library education. My teaching journal, any electronic exchanges or online sessions, and especially samples of student work and reflections are all of interest for research purposes.  No extra work whatsoever is assigned for research purposes. No videotaping or audiotaping will be used for this purpose. Analysis will occur after semester grading is complete. If you prefer that your work in this class not be considered for purposes of research, please email your preference to me; I will cheerfully remove your material from analysis.  You may opt out at any point now or in the future.  We plan for this research to be an ongoing examination of teaching and learning within the SLM Program.  If we learn anything of value, we will publish our findings.  However, your name will never appear in any publication or presentation.   You will be given a letter explaining this research more thoroughly.

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