Course Description:

This course is designed to investigate various topics that surround the concept of information literacy.  It is designed to aid educational professionals in their ability to devise educational activities that engage the learner in research activities that require critical analysis of information gathered.  It is designed to help educational professionals work with students to become critical thinkers, intellectually curious observers, creators, and users of information.  Participants in this class will develop strategies to shift some of the responsibility of gaining knowledge from the teacher to the student and create learning experiences that allow students to develop questions, devise strategies to search for answers, and formulate conclusions.

In order to successfully plan, develop, and implement curricula to meet the needs of diverse learners in today's world and to prepare students for the future, the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) has identified four critical components of The Effective Educator:  standards based instruction (SBI), knowledge of the learner (KL), best pedagogical practices (PP), and content knowledge (CK).
 

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, class participants should be able to:

1.  Demonstrate a working knowledge of information literacy practices. (SBI,KL,PP,CK)

2.  Investigate various topics that relate to information litearcy and develop instructional strategies based on this research. (SBI,KL,PP,CK)

3.  Design an advanced website to provide student support for information literacy. (SBI,KL,PP,CK)

4.  Demonstrate a knowledge of emerging issues regarding information literacy and it's relationship to learning technologies. (SBI,KL,PP,CK)
 
 

Course Requirements:

1. Complete classroom activities. (200 pts) Complete class attendance is expected. Completion of the reading assignments and classroom participation is also expected.

2.  Final Project. (300 pts)  Students will design, develop and present an instructional unit that supports information literacy strategies.
 
 

This is a hands-on course and will require additional time on the computer outside of scheduled class times. This course is designed for students with intermediate level of computer literacy. The goal is to develop skills in the use of computer technologies to deliver instructional strategies at a distance.
 

Textbook:

To be announced - Several readings will be posted to the class website

Supplies:

Several 3 ½ “ diskettes; possible zip disk
 

Important Notice:

If you do not have access to a home or school computer that is at least a Pentium II and has internet access, please let me know so that  arrangement may be made for you to gain access to useable equipment.  You should be able to access this computer during scheduled class time to allow for synchronous distance delivery.
 

Grading Scale:

95% or greater -  A
86 to 95% -  B
75 to 84% -  C
65 to 74% -  D
below 65% -  F

Expectations:

1. Complete all assignments on time. Late assignments will lower your grade.
2. Complete all projects with class. Late projects will not be accepted except for extreme unforeseen emergencies and then only prior to the next class meeting. Failure to meet this requirement will result in a failing grade for the project.
3. Participate fully in all classroom activities through class discussions, thoughtful questions, assisting others via cooperative learning techniques, constructing knowledge, and reflecting.
4. Willingness to become more familiar with computer hardware and unafraid to explore the full potential of the computer for both personal and classroom use. This will require active problem solving.
5. Attendance is required at all classes. Anyone having two or more absences will need special permission from the instructor to pass the course.
6. You must have an e-mail address. If you do not have one you must obtain one by accessing the SLREG System and following the on-screen instructions. To obtain instructions to connect to SLU system, go to SLU website, Office of Technology at the help desk, Available Documents. I-55, an ISP, has discount rates for SLU students.
7. Some assignments will require group work where group members will need to conference outside of class time in order to complete the assignment.

"Free discussion, inquiry, and expression is encouraged in class.  Classroom behavior that interferes with either (a) the instructor's ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of students to benefit from the instruction is not acceptable.  Examples may include routinely entering class late or departing early; use of beepers, cellular phones, or other electronic devises; repeatedly talking in class without being recognized; talking while others are speaking; or arguing in a say that is perceived as "crossing the civility line."  In the event of a situation where a student legitimately needs to carry a beeper/cellular phone to class, prior notice and approval of the instructor is required."

NOTICE:  New Rules and Deadlines for Graduation - PLEASE READ notice on SLU official website:
http://www.selu.edu/enroll/gradap.html
Note that NO APPLICATIONS FOR GRADUATION WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER February 15, 2003.

You must pay for graduation at the Bursar's office AND sign up for graduation online at the above web address.  BE SURE to print out
the screen that accepts your application for graduation to serve as a record of your application.
 

Important Dates:

Friday, March 21, 2003, last day to resign from the University or withdraw from regular classes.

If you are a qualified student with a disability seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you are required to self identify with the Office of Student Life, Room 203, Student Union.