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Apply now for the Institute for Information Literacy Immersion ’08 Program

The ACRL Institute for Information Literacy Immersion Program has a new track! 

The ACRL Institute for Information Literacy is excited to announce that a third track has been integrated into its National Immersion Program.  Previously offered as a stand-alone program, “The Intentional Teacher: Renewal through Informed Reflection” will join the highly-regarded Teacher and Program Tracks of Immersion.  The Intentional Teacher track offers professional renewal for experienced academic librarians who want more self-awareness in their teaching. Participants will examine their practice through various lenses and explore four areas important to teaching:  philosophy/values; pedagogy; student impact; and experimentation.  Combining these three tracks will offer a more cohesive Immersion experience.

"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

"It helped develop my understanding of information literacy and it helped me to understand myself better as a teacher." -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

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.  Click here for complete details about the Immersion ’08 Teacher Track, including learning outcomes and application information.

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. Click here for complete details about the Immersion ’08 Program Track, including learning outcomes and application information.

INTENTIONAL TEACHER TRACK.  This track 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.  Intentional Teacher is the newest Track in Immersion joining Teacher Track, which assists teachers to enhance, refresh, or develop their instruction skills and Program Track, which focuses on developing, integrating and managing institutional and programmatic information literacy programs. Please note, previous Immersion experience (in either Teacher or Program Track) is not required to participate.  Click here for complete details about the Immersion ’08 Intentional Teacher Track, including learning outcomes and application information.

LOCATION AND DATES
Immersion ’08 will be held at the University of California, San Diego.

Teacher Track program dates: July 27 – August 1, 2008
Program Track program dates: July 27 – August 1, 2008
Intentional Teacher program dates: July 27 – 31, 2008

Note: Immersion ’08 is not sponsored by the University of California.

COSTS
TEACHER TRACK (4.5 days – July 27 – August 1, 2008)
ACRL member: $1,695
Non ACRL member: $1,795

PROGRAM TRACK (4.5 days – July 27 – August 1, 2008)
ACRL member: $1,695
Non ACRL member: $1,795

Teacher and Program track registration includes tuition, an extensive binder of resources, access to computer facilities, private electronic discussion forum of all participants, ALL meals, twice-daily refreshment breaks, and special social events.  Lodging is not included as part of the registration fee. Details about accommodations are below.

INTENTIONAL TEACHER TRACK (3.5 days – July 27 – 31, 2008)
ACRL member: $1,195
Non ACRL member: $1,295

Intentional Teacher track registration includes tuition, private electronic discussion forum of all participants, ALL meals, twice-daily refreshment breaks, social event, and supporting publications. Lodging is not included as part of the registration fee. Details about accommodations are below.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Institutional support is an important component of the Immersion program. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for Teacher Track applicants only in the following three categories:

1. New librarian (applicants who have been in librarianship for two years or less by the beginning date of the program)
2. Minority librarian (limited to those who have been in librarianship for five years or less)
3. Librarian employed at an institution serving underrepresented minorities.
   Note: Immersion scholarships are typically funded between $400-600.  All recipients of ACRL scholarship funds must be ACRL members, demonstrate a financial need, applying for the Teacher Track, and complete the Scholarship Application portion of the Teacher Track application form.  

ACCOMMODATIONS
All Immersion participants are invited to stay in the Warren Apartments on the University of California San Diego campus.  A single room in an apartment is approximately $70 per night.  Apartments include a kitchen with refrigerator, stove, and sink, Internet access, balcony, private bath, and more.  Enjoy the sunshine and views of the Pacific Ocean on the UCSD campus.

APPLICATION
All three tracks 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 deadline to apply for Immersion ’08 is December 3, 2007.  Applications must be submitted via the online application form.

NOTIFICATION
Notifications of acceptance will be issued by late February 2008.

Questions?  Contact Margot Conahan at msutton@ala.org or Tory Ondrla at tondrla@ala.org.