Curriculum

The following required courses provide a foundation in literature and in media services provision for children/young adults. Skills and knowledge used in instructional design, collaboration, development, delivery and evaluation, information technologies in education, information literacy, motivation, and storytelling are also addressed. (Note: If a student has already completed any of the following courses with at least a grade of B, the course can be waived, pending review of the syllabus.)

 

 

It is the student's responsibility to document all fieldwork and submit documentation at the time of certification. This documentation is done by submitting the required Learning Agreement and Record of Fieldwork for each site where fieldwork is completed.

 

See the School Media website for more detailed information about the practica: http://ischool.syr.edu/academics/graduate/mls/mediaprogram/curriculum.aspx.

 

Students in the School Media Program are required to complete the Competency Checklist during their MSLIS program. The competencies are aligned with the 2010 ALA/AASL/NCATE Standards for Initial Preparation of School Librarians, the 2011 New York State Teaching Standards, and the 2009 ALA Core Competencies and describe the tasks and activities expected of the 21st century school library professional.

 

Students are to submit the Competency Checklist FOUR times during their MSLIS program as noted below.

 

1. Baseline: Students should complete the competencies at the very beginning of their program, before taking any courses. The list should be used as basis for selection of fieldwork projects, class projects, and other course-related activities.

2. Fieldwork: Students are required to update and complete the competencies after completing the fieldwork experience. Students are to use the list with guidance from their advisor, the fieldwork coordinator and their site supervisors for both fieldwork and their first practicum as a way to identify gaps that need to be filled or for project selection during  practicum experiences.

3. Practicum II: Students must update and submit the competencies prior to beginning their second practicum. Students should use the list with guidance from their practicum site supervisors as a way to identify gaps that need to be filled or for project selection during their final practicum experience.

4. Final: Students are required to update and submit a fourth and final checklist after their final practicum and all coursework has been completed. Students should submit the final competency checklist with their portfolio.

All students are required to assemble a portfolio of their credentials during their last semester in the program. The portfolio contains such items as artifacts from course and practicum-related projects, student-authored publications, resume, photos, video clips, and other relevant artifacts produced/created by the student. It is highly recommended that students begin to collect artifacts for their portfolios from the very beginning of their program.

 

The portfolio is intended to provide students with (1) a synthesis of their learning over the course of their academic program and (2) tangible demonstrations of their knowledge and skills that would be relevant for presentation at job interviews. Students are asked to organize their portfolios according to the School Media Competency Checklist's five  standards and elements, including:

 
Standard 1: Teaching for Learning
    1.1    Knowledge of learners and learning
    1.2    Effective and knowledgeable teacher
    1.3    Instructional partner
    1.4    Integration of twenty-first century skills and learning standards

Standard 2: Literacy and Reading
    2.1 Literature
    2.2 Reading promotion
    2.3 Respect for diversity
    2.4 Literacy strategies

Standard 3: Information and Knowledge
    3.1 Efficient and ethical information-seeking behavior
    3.2 Access to information
    3.3 Information technology
    3.4 Research and knowledge creation

Standard 4: Advocacy and Leadership
    4.1. Networking with the library community
    4.2 Professional development
    4.3 Leadership
    4.4 Advocacy

Standard 5: Program Management and Administration
    5.1 Collections
    5.2 Professional Ethics
    5.3 Personnel, Funding, and Facilities
    5.4 Strategic Planning and Assessment
 

It is recommended that students review the competency standards and related elements for each area to determine which portfolio artifacts are relevant to that area. 

 

Each portfolio must be submitted electronically for review during the last week of classes of the semester in which the student completes his/her program. The portfolio is an exit requirement of the school media program. It will be assessed as pass/fail. If a student does not pass the portfolio, he/she will be required to revise and resubmit. As a result, additional fieldwork may be required to address gaps in the students competency areas.