Immersion '11 Program

Four unique tracks of the Immersion Program are offered each year: the long-standing Teacher and Program Tracks are offered together in summer 2011; the Intentional Teaching and Assessment Tracks are offered in fall 2011.  Please note that the Immersion Program tracks are not sequential; participants can apply for and attend whichever track(s) are best for them. 

"Immersion was a time of intense reflection on where we’ve been, what we’ve been doing, where we want to go, and what we need to do to get there. It was about developing the persuasive skills to realize our goals. I recognized many missteps I’d made in the past and saw my future path so much more clearly at the end of Immersion that I now feel a renewed sense of purpose." Past Immersion Participant

"Immersion was a wonderful experience.  I’ve emerged with new energy and many ideas to try.  I couldn’t recommend it highly enough." Past Immersion Participant

"Immersion was enlightening on personal and professional levels-I feel that I have been given an array of tools to use in empowering both my colleagues at home, my students and myself as I progress in my career." Past Immersion Participant

Immersion Program Curriculum

Teacher Track:

This track focuses on individual development for those who are interested in enhancing, refreshing, or extending their individual instruction skills. Curriculum includes classroom techniques, learning theory, leadership, and assessment framed in the context of information literacy.  Participants selected for the Teacher Track will prepare a description of an instructional situation and a related presentation in advance of the Immersion program. During Immersion, participants will revise the presentation based on feedback from colleagues and faculty. 

Program Track:

This track focuses on developing, integrating, and managing institutional and programmatic information literacy programs. Participants selected for the Program Track will develop individual case studies in advance of the Immersion program. Change dynamics, systems thinking, institutional outcomes assessment, scalability, and the integration of teaching, learning, and technology will be brought to bear on analyzing the various programmatic challenges presented in the case studies. Immersion participants will be expected to develop the case studies into an action plan for implementation at the home institution.

Assessment: Demonstrating the Educational Value of the Library Track:

(Formerly titled Assessment Immersion) This program is intended for experienced academic librarians (5+ years teaching experience) active in teaching and learning and those with leadership roles for information literacy program development who want to improve their knowledge and practice of both classroom and program assessment.  This program will approach assessment from a learning-centered perspective; participants will emerge with a broader understanding of assessment and how to use assessment as an important tool to guide evidence-based classroom, curriculum and program development.  Participants will develop a plan for their assessment activities which will form the basis for future engagement with these issues both individually and as a leader of IL initiatives at their institutions.

Intentional Teaching: Reflective Teaching to Improve Student Learning Track:

(Formerly titled Intentional Teacher) This program is aimed at the experienced academic librarian (5+ years teaching experience, in a library or other setting) who wants to become more self-aware and self-directed as a teacher.  This program facilitates the process of critical reflection through peer discussion, readings and personal reflection as a pathway to professional growth and renewal.  The program offers a mixture of structured and co-constructed learning segments such as peer discussions, individual reading and reflection times, and participant-led communities of practice. 

Assessment and Intentional Teaching Tracks (Fall 2011 Program)

Location and Dates

The Immersion Program (Assessment and Intentional Teaching tracks) will be held at the Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville, Tennessee, November 16-20, 2011.

Costs

ACRL member: $1,395
Non ACRL member: $1,495

Registration includes:

• tuition
• all meals during the program dates
• twice-daily refreshment breaks
• private electronic discussion forum of all participants
• private online course for all participants
• social event

Accommodations

Immersion Program participants are invited to stay in lodging on the  Scarritt Bennett Center campus.  Approximate costs for the 2011 program are below and rooms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Standard rooms– approx. $50 per night.  Each private standard single room shares a full bath with the adjoining room.

Deluxe rooms – approx. $65 per night.  Deluxe guest rooms include a television and high-speed internet access.  Each private deluxe single room shares a full bath with the adjoining room.

Assessment and Intentional Teaching Application Materials (Fall 2011 Program)

Application

All Immersion programs establish a learning community in which participants contribute to the success of the program through active engagement.  Acceptance to these programs is competitive, and participation is limited to create an environment that promotes group interaction.  The ACRL Immersion Program Committee reviews and selects participants.   Please note that the Immersion Program tracks are not sequential; participants can apply for and attend whichever track(s) are best for them.  Friday, May 6, 2011 is the deadline to apply.

How to Apply

Complete program details and application materials are available via the links below. 

Intentional Teaching: Reflective Practice to Improve Student Learning

Assessment: Demonstrating the Educational Value of the Academic Library

Deadline 

Friday, May 6, 2011 (11:00 p.m. Central time) is the application deadline.

Notifications

Notifications of acceptance will be issued via e-mail in July 2011.

Questions?  Contact Margot Conahan at mconahan@ala.org.