Applications for Institute for Information Literacy Immersion Program Faculty due February 15, 2006

Contact: Margot Conahan


ACRL


312-280-2522


msutton@ala.org
For Immediate Release


February 7, 2006

Applications for Institute for Information Literacy Immersion Program Faculty due February 15, 2006

CHICAGO - The Association for College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Institute for Information Literacy invites applications and nominations for Immersion Program Faculty. Applications are due
February 15, 2006.

Join 11 of your colleagues in teaching this exciting national program. Now in its eighth year, the ACRL Institute for Information Literacy Immersion Program brings together academic librarians for five days of intensive work in teaching and information literacy. With over 1,100 graduates of previous national and regional sessions, the Immersion Program has transformed individuals, students, and instruction programs nationally and internationally.

There are generally two Immersion Programs held each year. National programs are normally offered the first week of August; regional programs are set in conjunction with the host organization but are generally held during June, July or August. In addition to these established programs, Immersion will begin a 3.5 day Track 3 program in 2007 focusing on reflective practice for experienced teachers. Additional programs also are being considered.

The Immersion Curriculum is divided into two tracks. The Teacher track prepares librarians to become effective teachers; the Program track develops leaders and managers of information literacy programs. Five principal curriculum areas organize the program and give librarians the tools needed to excel as both teachers and leaders: information literacy, teaching/pedagogy, leadership, assessment, and learning theory.

Current faculty members agree teaching in the Immersion Program is the most energizing and challenging professional development experience in which they have ever participated. Faculty members have direct opportunity to influence the future of information literacy and to further expand its impact as an educational change agenda. For a list of Immersion faculty visit
www.ala.org/ala/acrl/acrlissues/acrlinfolit/professactivity/iil/immersion/immersionfaculty.htm.

The Immersion program is planned and taught with collaboration and integration as the cornerstones. Faculty members contribute ideas and energy toward common solutions in support of co-faculty and attendees as well as overall Immersion goals and values. While faculty members specialize in one curricular area, the teaching and learning experience in Immersion is deeply integrated and holistic. Faculty contributes to the overall program experience by teaching the entire five days and in several areas of the curriculum.

Expectations of the Faculty Include:

  1. Participate in the teaching of at least three five-day Immersion Programs (and/or three-day Track Three Programs) in the next five years. New faculty will observe one of the programs held this year (regional program dates July 14-19, 2006; national program dates July 28 - August 2, 2006) and teach beginning in 2007 (dates to be determined).

  2. Contribute creatively and collaboratively to the development and delivery of the Immersion experience. This includes individual and team teaching, facilitating small groups, 1:1 discussions, attending meals, evening activities and planning meetings and assessment/evaluation sessions with both individuals and groups. Flexibly adapt teaching “for the moment.”

  3. Be an engaged and supportive team member. Living and teaching with colleagues requires energy, generosity, flexibility, and patience!

  4. Specialize in one of the selected curricular areas (information literacy; teaching/ pedagogy; leadership; assessment; or learning theory). With faculty partners, insure the creative evolution and development of curricula in this area and innovatively teach this segment. Develop handouts, notebooks and teaching tools. Collaboratively problem-solve with the entire faculty in order to support teaching in the other curricular areas. Immersion faculty members are encouraged to develop the ability to teach in an additional curricular area and to participate in new programs as they are developed.

  5. Following the program, assess and provide feedback to participants on the Immersion assignments.

  6. Meet all timelines and deadlines established by the Lead Faculty and Dean.

  7. Active participation in the faculty listserv.

  8. Work year-round on faculty sub-committees to insure an evolving, up-to-date program

  9. Attend curriculum meetings the Thursday before each ALA Annual and Midwinter conference. Occasional 2-day meetings (Wednesday and Thursday before conference) are scheduled. Attendance is not consistently subsidized outside of the program stipend.

Stipend: $3,100 per program, plus travel expenses, housing (typically campus lodging) and meals.

How to Apply

Please submit the following by February 15, 2006:

  • Maximum 2-page cover letter introducing yourself and describing why you would like this experience

  • Two-page vita

  • Names of three references who have observed your teaching and/or have collaborated with you in teaching endeavors

  • One-page maximum responses to each of the following questions:

    1. Who are you as a teacher?

    2. What is an example of a successful collaborative teaching experience in which you have been involved? What did you contribute to make it successful?

    3. What will you contribute to the Immersion program; why are these qualities or contributions important to the goals of the program?

    4. What is your expertise in each of the five curriculum areas?

Four copies of all application materials must be submitted by February 15, 2006 to: Margot Sutton Conahan, Immersion Faculty Application, ACRL, 50 East Huron, Chicago, IL 60611. Candidates will be interviewed by telephone or video connection after mid-February 2006. Questions can be directed to: Debra Gilchrist, Pierce College, Lakewood WA; 253-964-6553;
dgilchrist@pierce.ctc.edu.

ACRL is a division of the American Library Association (ALA), representing more than 13,000 academic and research librarians and interested individuals. ACRL is the only individual membership organization in North America that develops programs, products and services to meet the unique needs of academic and research librarians. Its initiatives enable the higher education community to understand the role of academic libraries.