The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), is pleased to offer a variety of quality online education courses. All courses will run between four and six weeks and will be taught in an online learning community using Moodle.
Registration for fall courses is now closed. Please check back for our Winter 2010 courses coming soon.
The Newbery Medal: Past, Present and Future - (6 weeks, October 5 - November 13, 2009)
*Course registration is now closed. Please check back for our Winter courses coming soon.
What does it mean when we recommend Newbery Award winners to the children in our communities? Should the ALA seal of approval stand for 100 years? Why is that gold medal often considered the “kiss of death” by kids? How can we help parents and teachers understand what the Newbery Medal is – and isn’t? This 6-week online course will give participants a solid grounding in the history of the Medal and how it’s changed over time; an opportunity to read, discuss and consider past and present Newbery winners with their colleagues from across the nation; a chance to talk to former Newbery Committee members and a Newbery author, and suggestions for programming using Newbery-winning books.
Instructor: Kathleen T. Horning, Director, Cooperative Children's Book Center, University of Wisconsin- Madison
Children with Disabilities in the Library - (6 weeks, October 5 - November 13, 2009)
*Course registration is now closed. Please check back for our Winter courses coming soon.
Imagine that Joey Pigza came into your library. Would he feel welcome? How would you provide library service for him? A child with a disability may need an individual service plan. But many books or articles provide generalizations and all-encompassing descriptions. This course will take another approach. By reading juvenile novels about children with disabilities, we will discover their individual needs. First, we will examine how schools handle students with disabilities. Then we will explore ways that the library might be able to assist each child. We will look at inclusive programming, assistive technologies, staff attitudes and legal considerations. This course is not intended to be a comprehensive course. Rather, we will collaboratively develop strategies for determining needs and identify resources that can be consulted when an actual child requires our help.
Instructor: Katherine (Kate) Todd, Adjunct Instructor, Manhattanville (NY) College
Are these self-directed courses or real time? What is the time commitment involved?
All courses are offered asynchronously (self-directed). Occasionally, a course my hold one synchronous chat session which is scheduled and announced at the start of the course.
Participants will be expected to login to the online course and interact several times a week. This can include reading online, working on assignments, reading and responding to the discussion boards. Participants will be given weekly deadlines, but will be able to work at times that are most convenient to the student.
What is Moodle? I have never used it before.
You will not have to download any special software to use Moodle. Moodle is an effective online learning community that is Web-based.
The following Web site is mainly for those developing courses in Moodle (http://moodle.org/). However, there is a course demonstration feature that shows students the Moodle environment utilizing Moodle itself.
In the very first paragraph in the center frame (This site itself is created using Moodle, so check out the Moodle Demonstration Courses or read the latest Moodle Buzz.), click on “Moodle Demonstration Courses”. You will then go to a Web page where you are able to explore a sample Moodle course that is the template for how most courses are structured and explanations for each of the areas. Please visit this link to explore the Moodle environment and see if you think it is something you will be comfortable using.
After you have registered for an ALSC course, your instructor will send you a URL for the ALA online course environment about a week before the start of the session. If you have not used Moodle before, you will need to create an account (your ALA login will not work) to log in and be recognized by ALA's moodle environment. Your instructor will also provide you with an enrollment key that will allow you entry to the course. You will then be able to access your course information, interact via discussion boards, and work with the instructor and other students.
Do you offer college credit or CEU's for these courses?
College credit nor CEU's are available at this time. ALSC's online courses are the equivalent of a one day face-to-face workshop. A certificate of completion will be sent to each participant upon successful completion for each course taken.
Requirements vary by state and school district regarding certification and continuing education credits. The decision to grant CEU credits remains entirely up to your state or school district. If you are in need of credits, check with your state and/or school district before enrolling to determine eligibility. Some states will review your certificate of completion and course syllabus to determine eligibility. A PDF copy of the syllabus can be provided to you upon request.