Online courses
Summer 2013
Beginning July 15, 2013
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. All courses are offered asynchronously (self-directed) meaning you won't need to logon at a specific time.
To sign-up for an upcoming course, visit the ALA registration website. Course space is limited.
ALSC is offering three CEU certified courses during this session: Children with Disabilities in the Library; Out of This World Youth Programming; and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Programs Made Easy. If you have questions about CEUs please contact Jenny Najduch in the ALSC office.
The Caldecott Medal
(6 weeks) For almost 75 years, the Caldecott Medal has been a sign of superior artistry and creativity in children’s picture books, given to only one book every year. With so many children’s picture books published each year, how is the Caldecott Medal winning book selected? What makes picture book illustration distinguished, and how has that definition changed over time? Learn about the history of the award, how the award has transformed books over time, and how to look critically at picture book art.
Instructor: Kathleen T. Horning, Director, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC), University of Wisconsin-Madison
Children with Disabilities in the Library
(6 weeks, CEU Certified Course, 3 CEUs) 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 College
Getting to the Core: Librarians and Common Core State Standards
(6 weeks) The common core state standards (CCSS) bring three key shifts to English language arts/literacy (ELA) curricula: regular practice with complex text and its academic language; reading, writing and speaking grounded in evidence from text, both literary and informational; building knowledge through content rich nonfiction. CCSS calls for 50 percent of reading in elementary and middle grades to be nonfiction. Librarians will be essential in the shift to common core as teachers look for the best content-rich, grade level-appropriate literature to support learning across the curriculum. ELA and other content-area teachers will especially need help from librarians finding appropriate resources and a wider selection of materials. This course will help prepare participants to meet those needs of teachers in the elementary and middle grades.
Instructor: Edward Sullivan, Librarian, Writer and Educator
Integrating New Technologies into Your Collections
(4 weeks) Are you looking for practical ways to integrate new technologies into your collections? Are you wondering how to balance your physical and digital holdings to maximize your offerings to your users, successfully engage them, and meet their needs? We will examine: - Collection development and management - How to successfully blend physical and digital collections - Digital devices: selection, management, and providing access - Staff Training and development All course participants will complete a course project focusing on a specific aspect of collection development of interest to them. Course participants will leave this course with a wealth of practical knowledge and will be able to confidently, easily, and successfully integrate a wide variety of new technologies and digital tools into their collections.
Instructor: Bonnie Roalsen, Head of Children's Services, Dover Town (Mass.) Public Library
Out of this World Youth Programming
(6 weeks, CEU Certified Course, 1.8 CEUs) If you are like most children’s librarians, you are no doubt faced with the continual challenge of providing programs that are not only fun and appealing, but also highly informative and educational. How do I fit all age levels? What is age-appropriate? How do I make old materials fresh again? Where do I even begin? This course will provide innovative ideas and suggestions on how to plan, promote, execute and evaluate your programs to work for you and your patrons.
Instructor: Angela Young, MSLS, Youth Services Librarian, Lorain Public Library System
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Programs Made Easy
(4 weeks, CEU Certified Course, 1.2 CEUs) Our children are lagging behind in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Schools have begun to concentrate on providing better education in these areas and now libraries are being asked to provide the same. Learn how to provide educational programs using STEM without going to school to become a scientist. Children’s librarians and associates will learn to present and adapt programs for multiple ages.
Instructor: Angela Young, Youth Services Librarian, Lorain Public Library System
Frequently asked questions
Are these self-directed courses or real time? What is the time commitment involved?
All courses are offered asynchronously (self-directed). A course my hold several synchronous chat sessions throughout the course, however, chat sessions are 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 a Moodle account (http://classes.ala.org). The login is not tied to your ALA user name and password. Please set your email filter to allow mail from the domain classes.ala.org as you will receive a confirmation email that is needed to complete setting up the account. 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?
Select ALSC courses are CEU certified at this time. Certification will be clearly listed on the course webpage. If you have questions about whether or not a course is certified please contact Jenny Najduch in the ALSC office vie email jnajduch@ala.org or phone 800-545-2433 ext. 4026. A certificate of completion will be sent to each participant upon successful completion for each course taken regardless of the courses CEU availability.
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.
Cancelation & Transfer Policy
Cancellations must be made in writing and postmarked or faxed to the ALA/MACS department by no later than seven days before the class starts. Cancellations will result in a full refund less a $35 processing fee. NO phone cancellations will be accepted. Refunds will be processed two weeks after the start of the course. ALSC reserves the right to cancel a course for reasons including insufficient numbers of students.
If you are registered but unable to take a course you may transfer your registration to another student if that student falls under the same registration category. For instance, an ALSC member may transfer her registration to another ALSC member free of charge. If you would like to transfer your registration to someone in a different category the difference between prices must be paid at the time of transfer. All requests for registration transfers must be made in writing no later than seven days before the start of the course. Please address all requests, including the reason for the transfer and both parties' membership numbers, to ALSC Program Officer Jenny Najduch. Transfers may not be made once a course has started.
Questions?
Contact ALSC Program Officer Jenny Najduch at jnajduch@ala.org or 1-800-545-2433 ext. 4026.
