Current News
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Aug 2-22 — Confirm fall registration via MU's Welcome Back page
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Aug 4-11 — Fall bills available for payment in WebAdvisor
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Aug 12 — Summer semester ends
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Aug 30 — Fall semester begins (Intro Class/Orientation begins by Aug 23)
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Sep 4 (Sat) — Drop deadline for Fall term
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Nov 1 (?) — Spring registration begins (stay tuned for more accurate dates)
Nov 5 — Last day to withdraw from Fall class
Dec 17 — Fall semester ends
Jan 18 — Spring 2011 semester begins
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May 6 — Spring semester ends
After several years, MU and the 13 other universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) have replaced Blackboard as our learning management system for online courses. We moved to the new system, Desire2Learn (D2L) in May 2010 and the transition so far has been pretty smooth. In May we hosted several live tours of the system, and this month we will do so again for everyone who has not yet experienced D2L. Below is the schedule. Please Sign Up using our online form.
8/22 (Sun): 8:30 - 9:30 pm (new students only)
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8/24 (Tues): 8:00 - 9:00 pm (new students only)
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8/29 (Sun): 4:00 - 5:00 pm
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8/30 (Mon): 8:30-9:30 pm
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9/1 (Wed): 6:30-7:30 pm
Orientation sessions will take place online, using the web conferencing software, Wimba. If you have not used this program before test your computer and browser with their Setup Wizard. When ready to join the session login 5-10 minutes early in our meeting room:
http://67.202.209.98/launcher.cgi?room=Mansfield
We also have a video Guide to Wimba (designed for Intro students). For additional D2L resources see our self-paced Tutorial, recorded Video Tour, or MU's Desire2Learn Resources for Students.
SL&IT Receives Fifth IMLS Scholarship Grant
For an unprecedented fifth time the SL&IT program will receive funding from the Institute of Library and Museum Services (IMLS). The project, entitled Fulfilling the Promise, provides $999,940 for 48 scholarships and operating funds to recruit new school library leaders into the profession. Partners consist of the Chicago Public Schools and New York City Department of Education. The three-year project, beginning spring 2011, highlights three goals:
Recruit and graduate 48 new certified school librarians
Improve persistence and academic success through active mentorship
Highlight leadership throughout the curriculum
Unfortunately, scholarships are for brand new SL&IT students only. Visit the Fulfilling the Promise web site for details. For the official announcement see the IMLS List of Recipients.
Affiliation Agreements and Liability Insurance
As of Spring 2010, all SL&IT students are required to submit an Affiliation Agreement and confirmation that they have liability insurance prior to participating in a field experience or practicum. This legal document (available for download) outlines the duties, terms, conditions and responsibilities of the university and school district(s) in which you perform class activities. Similar to clearances, the agreement takes effect immediately once signed by authorized officials of MU and the school district in which you plan to perform a field experience. Please send the signed form to Jill Scott, 202 Retan, Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA 16933. For further information see Cindy Keller's 2/14/10 Announcement. If you still have questions contact Cindy (717-816-6995) or Jill Scott (570-662-4790).
Beginning in Fall 2010 several courses will undergo changes. Most significantly, LSC 5564, Seminar in School Librarianship, will combine with LSC 5562, Practicum in School Librarianship, to become LSC 5565, School Library Practicum. The new Practicum will be required not just for school library certification, but for the Masters degree as well. However, there will be two versions of this course, for either one or three credits. For details see the Sep. 2009 issue of the SL&IT Newsletter (page 1).
As another big change LSC 5520, Cataloging and Classification, will split into two separate courses. Students will select either LSC 5521, Introduction to Cataloging and Classification in the School Library or LSC 5522, Advanced Cataloging and Classification in the School Library.
Finally, the following courses will undergo name changes, to better reflect their content:
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LSC 5505, Core Resources —> Children’s and Young Adult Literature
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LSC 5510, Electronic Delivery —> Technologies for School Libraries
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LSC 5545, Access and Legal Issues in the Information Age —> Access and Legal Issues in the School Library
New Special Education Requirements for PA Certification
Please note this important information regarding new rules for PA certification. Educators who receive their primary certificate after January 1, 2011, and who wish to add an endorsement (e.g. in Library Media), must meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Chapter 49 requirements for Adaptations and Accommodations for Diverse Learners and ELL.
Satisfaction of the new requirement requires the following undergraduate special education courses:
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Foundations in Special Education (SPE 1001)
Graduate equivalent SPE 5501, Educating Children with Exceptional Learning Needs
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Instructional Strategies for English Language Learners (SPE 2276)
Graduate equivalent SPE 5530, Diverse Cultural and Linguistic Learners
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High Incidence Disabilities (SPE 3291)
Graduate equivalent SPE 5590, Teaching Learners with Mild Disabilities
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Assessment and Evidence Based Behavior Supports for Inclusion (SPE 3352)
Graduate equivalent SPE 5542, Assessment and Behavior Management
These special education courses will be phased in and offered online over the next two years from Mansfield University and will be taught by Special Education instructors. If you do not plan on graduating before 2011, you will need to begin to take these courses as soon as they are offered. We will keep you posted as to when the courses will be available online. For additional details see PDE's Frequently Asked Questions. If you still have questions, contact Cindy Keller (ckeller@mansfield.edu or 717-816-6995).
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