Educational Foundations for Information Professionals

Course Description

Focuses on historical, philosophical, sociological, legal, and curricular foundations of education with an overview of and introduction to the roles of the school library, school librarian, and instructional technology facilitator. Explores standards, assessment, issues, and trends.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Acknowledge and self-assess professional dispositions appropriate for a highly qualified school librarian or ITF.
  • Articulate the instructional partner and teaching roles of a school librarian or ITF in the 21st-century school and their contributions to the curriculum.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of 21st-century learners and learning by implementing principles of effective teaching and learning that contribute to an active, inquiry-based approach to learning.
  • Demonstrate effective communication strategies with students, teachers, administrators, and parents.
  • Identify and assess solutions for addressing diverse student needs and securing equitable access for all students.
  • Utilize evidence-based practice and information from education and research to articulate the role and relationship of the school library / instructional technology program on student achievement and how these can enhance school improvement efforts.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
Assignment 1. Educational Beliefs Statement 10%
Assignment 2. Self-Assessment of Dispositions 10%
Assignment 3. Working with Students Reflection Video 15%
Assignment 4. Guided Inquiry Design (GID) Project 20%
Assignment 5. GID Individual Reflection & Evaluation 10%
Assignment 6. Discussions 25%
Participation 10%

Attendance/Participation:

Class participation consists of (1) Attendance and participation in the synchronous online sessions; AND viewing of recorded asynchronous sessions; (2) Contributing to group projects; (3) Contributing during meetings by asking questions, commenting on required readings, responding to questions, and other meaningful interaction.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

The School Library Manager: Leading Through Change — Blanche Woolls, Joyce Valence, & April Dawkins, 7th Edition, Bloomsbury, 2023, ISBN 978-1440879296

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.