Course Schedule | Recommended Course Path | Required Texts
LSC 5500 |
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LSC 5501 |
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LSC 5505 |
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LSC 5510 |
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LSC 5515 |
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LSC 5521 |
Introduction to Cataloging & Classification in the School Library |
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LSC 5522 |
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LSC 5525 |
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LSC 5530 |
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LSC 5535 |
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LSC 5540 |
Information Searching, Retrieval, and Presentation Strategies |
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LSC 5545 |
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LSC 5565 |
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LSC 6600 |
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LSC 5500 - Introductory Seminar
New students will develop core skills and dispositions necessary to progress through the online graduate program. The 10-week, one-credit course will begin with a tutorial on Desire2Learn, the course management system used for SL&IT courses, and proceed to exercises in which to practice basic skills with essential software applications.
As needed, the instructor will provide coaching to improve technical proficiency. Students will also examine dispositions of successful school librarians; strategies for online learning; student and faculty responsibilities; responsive discourse, self-directedness; and the theme of MU’s graduate education programs, Teacher as Reflective Educational Leader, as it relates to school librarians. Students will also create a program completion plan to plot progression from orientation to graduation and an electronic portfolio using the web-based program College Live Text. The Intro class is required for all new degree-seeking students.
LSC 5501 - Instructional Collaboration
Skills necessary to implement a collaborative and integrated library information curriculum will be developed. Students will recognize the role of the librarian as a leader in curriculum planning and professional development. They will identify resources and instructional tools necessary to support the instructional program.
LSC 5505 - Children’s and Young Adult Literature
Students will investigate the development of children’s and young adult literature as genres. Special attention to increasing the breadth and depth of experience with fiction, nonfiction, and poetry award winning titles forms the central focus of the course as students evaluate, compare, and research many books and authors. Selection tools will be used to locate works for curriculum support, for multicultural collections, and for multiple characteristics of readers. Picture book studies, an author study, a genre study, and a study of alternate formats will be carried out in the context of current practices in reading instruction and resource provision. Book talks and principles of recommending books for teacher and student needs will be practiced. Students will also undertake a major curriculum support project emphasizing children’s and young adult literature.
LSC 5510 - Technologies for School Libraries
This course presents an overview of typical network components and protocols with an emphasis on understanding basic networking and the associated electronic delivery of instructional resources and services. The course will cover the basics of networking including Local Area Networks, Wide Area Networks, Wireless Technologies, and basic web technologies in conjunction with ADA and W3C accessibility compliance. Assistive technologies for students with disabilities, consideration of classroom and physical space issues as they relate to technology, and the systematic renewal / planning for technology will also be covered. The primary objective for this class is to develop an understanding of the concepts and terminology of computing networks to assist you in working with technology coordinators and other school administrators in the use and acquisition of computer networks and the ability to envision (if not implement) ways of using various technologies in a classroom type setting.
LSC 5515 - Collection Management in the Electronic Age
This course outlines a process for developing an in-house, available library collection and an external, accessible collection of learning resources, focusing on the needs and requirements of the school learning community. Students will learn the necessary skills and background knowledge to implement a collection development process: profiling the needs of the learners, assessing existing collections, establishing selection criteria for various formats of resources, making acquisitions decisions, and promoting the use of the resources. Students will also review and use various selection tools and learn the parts and importance of a written collection development policy.
LSC 5521 - Introduction to Electronic Cataloging
This course is designed for new school librarians who wish to provide their patrons with the most successful access to their school library collections. Participants of the course are intended to be brand new to the field of school librarianship or practicing librarians who have little to no experience with electronic cataloging and classification systems. Students will develop skills to apply the principles of description (cataloging) and organization (classification) of print and media resources. The application of RDA, the MARC21 format, Sears List and Library of Congress subject headings, and the Dewey Decimal Classification system will be emphasized. Students will also become familiar with integrated library systems, the evolving OPAC, and the consideration of various cataloging services relevant to the school library environment.
Note: this course may be replaced by LSC 5522, Advanced Electronic Cataloging (see below).
LSC 5522 - Advanced Electronic Cataloging
This course is designed for graduate students with prior electronic cataloging knowledge and experience who want to increase access to their school library collections. Course participants will advance skills to apply the principles of description (cataloging) and organization (classification) of print, media, and digital resources. The application of AACR2 and RDA, Curriculum-Enhanced MARC, Authority Control, Subject Access points, and the Dewey Decimal Classification system will be emphasized. Students will also develop local standards for cataloging specifications, apply database clean-up and maintenance tasks in their school library's catalog, and explore the decision making process for migration of integrated library systems.
Prerequisites (courses which MUST be completed prior to taking this course): completion of an undergraduate/graduate cataloging course and/or at least 3 years of experience in working with electronic cataloging in a school library.
LSC 5525 - Strategic Library Management
The students in this course will develop a master plan for the total management of a school library. There are many parts to this plan and each will be described, discussed, researched and developed in projects within this course. Students will become familiar with the role of the school library program within the school setting. The final project developed by the students will be the School Library Management Procedures manual.
LSC 5530 - School Library Advocacy
Students will learn ways to position the school library program as an essential force in preparing 21st century learners. Key concepts will include using research and evidence-based practices to develop influence and build relationships within the school and community. Skills and knowledge necessary to identify alternative sources of funding and to write grant proposals will be emphasized. Students will also develop a multi-year school library advocacy plan designed to implement the library's mission while strengthening personal leadership skills and advancing professional growth.
LSC 5535 - Information Literacy & Academic Standards
At the heart of learning and student achievement is information literacy, the ability to efficiently locate, evaluate and use information. This course focuses on preparing prospective library media specialist to understand many important aspects of providing quality, student centered, information literacy instruction. This will be accomplished by examining the underlying structure of state and national, information literacy and academic standards. Creating literature appreciation experiences, studying recent school reform, developing curriculum and skills lessons, understanding statewide assessment, and planning staff development programs will enable students to function as the information professional in the school.
LSC 5540 - Information Searching, Retrieval, and Presentation Strategies
This course will prepare the school library information specialist with a well-stocked searching toolkit and the strategies necessary to navigate the rich electronic information landscape. Students will focus on understanding database structure; utilizing professional search strategies; understanding, utilizing and evaluating the unique feature of the various Web search tools and proprietary databases; and developing strategies for resource evaluation. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of inquiry-driven research and develop skills in organizing and communicating research results in presentation programs and web pages.
LSC 5545 - Access and Legal Issues in the School Library
This course will provide you with an overview of the access and legal issues school librarians must know in order to operate a school library media center in this digital age. Five major topics will be explored: 1) copyright, 2) product licensing, 3) patron privacy, 4) intellectual freedom including the First Amendment, filtering and censorship, and 5) access to libraries. Ethics as it applies to libraries will also be discussed.
LSC 5565 - School Library Practicum
All students who seek a M.Ed in school library & Information technologies must complete either a one or three credit School Library Practicum course. The one credit course will be for students who are already certified as school library media specialists. The basic requirement for this course is publishing an electronic portfolio. The three credit course is designed for students who are not already certified school library media specialists.
In addition to publishing an electronic portfolio, students seeking three credits must complete a 100-hour practicum in a local school library. The practicum allows students to demonstrate that they have developed the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to become an effective efficient school library media specialist. This one or three variable credit course will occur during the spring and fall semesters only.
Prerequisites: 21 credits completed in the SL&IT program and must include LSC 5501 (Instructional Collaboration) and LSC 5530 (School Library Advocacy).
Note: starting Fall 2010 the Practicum course (LSC 5565) replaces the former Seminar (LSC 5564) and Practicum (LSC 5562) courses.
LSC 6600 - Leveraging School Libraries to Improve Student Learning
LSC 6600 is a short, one-credit graduate course for principals, curriculum and technology coordinators and other school administrators available online, usually in July. It is designed to build leadership and advocacy skills in how to maximize a school library program to increase student achievement. School leaders learn the research correlating school libraries with improved test scores, how to integrate information literacy skills with classroom curriculum and state academic standards, how to improve access to libraries and collections, and are provided with some basic guideline and evaluation tools. Click the Show Details button below for the syllabus, or view the course Homepage.
Note: this course is not a regular SL&IT course for the degree and is offered primarily to principals and other K-12 administrators. The course is offered infrequently, depending on grant funds.
