IRLS 504
2007-2008 Winter Session
Course Home

This course is an example of what SIRLS calls a hybrid course. It consists of three parts:

• An independent study period, running from December 17, 2007 through January , 2008.
• 7 days face-to-face classes in Tucson, January 3-9, 2008.
• A wrap-up period during which students complete their assignments. The class ends on January 14, 2008.

This document explains work to be competed during the Independent Study Period.

Workload for SIRLS classes
SIRLS follows the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) guidelines for student workload. ABOR required 135 hours of work for a 3 credit undergraduate class. Since these are minimum requirements, SIRLS workload may exceed these guidelines.

In a hybrid class such as 504, the time period is compressed, and so students have to spend more time each week in order to meet the total requirements of 135 hours. Roughly you can expect to spend 40-50 hours on this class during the Independent Study Period.

Structure of IRLS 504
This class is organized by modules. There are four types of modules, each corresponding to goals for learning in the course:

• Content modules: Introducing students to the discipline of library and information science and the library and information professions.
• Orientation modules: Introducing students to graduate study in general and the SIRLS program in particular.
• Technology Skills modules: Introducing students to the technological skills that they will need to be successful at SIRLS.
• Professional Development modules: Starting students on their educational journey toward careers in the library and information professions.

IRLS 504 Website
Since you are reading this, you have found the website. Your first task is to familiarize yourself with its contents. It contains everything you will need for the Independent Study Period. Once you arrive in Tucson, the online support for the class will shift to our online course environment, Desire2Learn (D2L). We recommend that students log in to D2L, d2l.arizona.edu, before coming to Tucson to familiarize yourself with the site; however, everything you need during your Independent Study Period is available through this, the IRLS 504 website. D2L instruction will also be provided on the first day of class. Note that the D2L site for this course will not be available until December 10, at the earliest.

Getting Set for Class
If you have not already completed the tasks on the Checklist, be sure to do so. It is essential for your success in 504 that you have accomplished all the tasks on the Checklist.

Independent Study Period Assignments
Your work during the Independent Study Period is organized by the class modules during the Tucson portion of the class. The purpose of the assignments is to prepare you for the intensive learning that will go on during your week in Tucson. Each module has some preparatory work for you to do; some will have a lot and some will have a little. Most modules have some reading assignments for you to complete, and some have additional assignments. All modules have study questions to guide your reading, and most modules have learning outcomes and terminology that will help you understand the scope of the module and what you are expected to learn.

In addition to the readings and assignments for each module, there are two assignments for you to complete before coming to Tucson:

• Interview Assignment. Bring both a printed and an electronic copy to class on the first day.
• SIRLS Website Scavenger Hunt. Bring both a printed an an electronic copy to class on the first day.
• Issues Paper Assignment. Review this assignment and note the portions you should complete during the study period.

Communication during the Independent Study Period
For communication specific to your situation, email one of the SIRLS 504 team:

• Polly Lindeman Mitchell, Program Coordinator, Senior plmitch@email.arizona.edu
• Laura Allbritton, 504 Graduate Assistant, lallbrit@email.arizona.edu
• Rachel Cannady, 504 Graduate Assistant, rcannady@email.arizona.edu

or

• Karen Bell, Instructor, khbell@email.arizona.edu
• Tom Wilding, Instructor, wilding@email.arizona.edu
• Bruce Fulton, Technology Coordinator and Instructor, bfulton@email.arizona.edu

Other issues?

• Geraldine Fragoso, Administrative Associate,
  gfragoso@email.arizona.edu (registration issues)
• Polly Lindeman Mitchell, Program Coordinator, Senior plmitch@email.arizona.edu (student forms/processes)

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