Dominican University

Graduate School of Library and Information Science

LIS724: Media Services and Production

3 Credit Hours

Spring 2008

Thursday 6:00 – 9:00 pm

 

Erin Drankwalter Wyatt, Adjunct Instructor

Office Hours: By Appointment

Email: ejdw@sbcglobal.net

IM (AIM): ejdw13

 

  1. Course Description

An overview of media technologies used in the teaching/learning process. Emphasis is given to: the relationship of learning theory to use of media (including interactive and multimedia technologies); the role of the library media specialist in facilitating effective creation/production use of media by students and teachers in elementary, middle, and secondary schools; copyright issues; and planning for technology.

  1. Required Texts

Simpson, Carol. Copyright for Schools: A Practical Guide. 4th edition. Worthington, OH:

            Linworth Publishing, 2005.

Williams, Robin. The Non-Designers Design Book. 2nd edition. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press,          2004.

  1.  Suggested Equipment

A.     USB flash drive

B.     Headset including a built-in microphone - OPTIONAL

            We will be doing several projects that require voice recording. Microphones will be available in          the classroom lab; however, they are not designed to reduce ambient noise.  

  1.  Learning Objectives

Students will:

l      gain an understanding of the role of the librarian with respect to media services and production.

l      demonstrate an understanding of basic design principles.

l      utilize various multimedia tools and peripherals in order to create instructional materials.

l      develop an awareness of selection issues for software and hardware.

l      gain an understanding of issues surrounding media literacy in the multimedia environment.

l      build knowledge of copyright issues as applied to media production and use.

  1. Assignments and Course Requirements

A.     Course Design. Class time will include lecture, discussion, demonstrations, presentations, and computer lab use. Students will have individual and group assignments.

B.     Assignments. The assignments, which are worth a total of 100 points, are listed below. Please note all assignments should be posted to the appropriate Discussion Board area within Blackboard.

1.      PROMOTIONAL FLYER - 5 POINTS

Using design principles and techniques discussed in Robin Williams' book and in class, each student will create a flyer for a library event. Be prepared to explain your design choices to the class.

Due JANUARY 17

2.      EQUIPMENT INVESTIGATION POWERPOINT – 10 POINTS

Each student will investigate a piece of equipment. The investigation will include a look at different models including an evaluation regarding positives, problems, price, ease of use, etc. Cost comparisons, evaluations and a few useful resources on selection and operating this type of equipment will be constructed. The presentation will be given to the class using PowerPoint.

Due FEBRUARY 7

3.      ELECTRONIC RESOURCE GUIDE ASSIGNMENT – 5 POINTS

Each student will locate and annotate a minimum of ten websites pertaining to a topic of his/her choice directed to a specific audience of users. The electronic resource guide will be web-based. The URL to the resource will be posted in Blackboard.

Due FEBRUARY 14

4.      WEBSITE EVALUATION – 10 POINTS

Work with your group to evaluate three library web sites using the criteria discussed in class. Design a mock-up of a website that exhibits best practice.

Due DUE FEBRUARY 28

5.      DIGITAL STORYTELLING PROJECT – 10 POINTS

Each student will complete a 2-3 minute digital storytelling project incorporating still images and audio.

Due MARCH 13

6.      SUBSCRIPTION DATABASE INVESTIGATION, DEMONSTRATION, AND  TUTORIAL – 20 POINTS

Each student will investigate two subscription databases and prepare accompanying tutorials giving direction on how-to use the resources.

Due MARCH 27

7.      SITE VISIT AND INTERVIEW – 10 POINTS

Each student will visit a library and conduct an interview with a librarian concerning equipment selection, purchase, and maintenance. The data collected from this experience will be contributed to a group project that reflects a range of practice in regards to librarians’ roles with media in the field. Group observations will be shared in class.

Due APRIL 3

8.      INSTRUCTIONAL PROJECT – 20 POINTS

Each student will create and present an instructional project based on a specific technology topic of his/her choice. Multimedia will be incorporated into the presentation. Students should get approval for topic choice from the instructor. The project should be creative and informative. Presentation sign-up will be done through the course wiki. Presentations should be posted to Blackboard.

Due APRIL 10, 24, and MAY 1

9.      PARTICIPATION AND COMMITMENT – 10 POINTS

It is expected that students will attend every class session and participate in discussions. The course grade, particularly the class participation component, will be affected by absences and tardies. Students are expected to have read the assigned materials and come to class prepared to discuss and critique the readings. There will be some mini-assignments that will contribute to the class participation grade. Points will be deducted from late assignments.

 

 

 

  1. Assessment

Graduate students are expected to attend each class, be punctual, and produce work of professional quality with citations wherever appropriate. It is also understood that graduate students have commitments outside of course work. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain any material covered or assignments missed. Missing class time may result in a grade deduction.

 

All course participants are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the standards outlined in the academic integrity statement. “Students of the university must conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity.  Failure to maintain academic integrity will not be tolerated.” (DU 2007-2008 Student Handbook and Planner, 20)

 

All assignments will be due at the beginning of the class period. Late work will result in a grade reduction. All written work should be clear and error free.

 

Grading Scale

A

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

C-

D

F

95-100

90-94

85-89

80-84

75-79

70-74

65-69

64-below

The faculty of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science use the following guidelines in grading:

Grade

Numeric Equivalent

Definition

A

4.0

Outstanding achievement. Student performance demonstrates full command of the course materials and evinces a high level of originality and/or creativity that far surpasses course expectations; nearly flawless work.

A-

3.67

Excellent achievement. Student performance demonstrates thorough knowledge of the course materials and exceeds course expectations by completing all requirements in a superior manner.

B+

3.33

Good solid work. Student performance demonstrates strong comprehension of the course materials and exceeds course expectations on all tasks as defined in the course syllabus.

B

3.0

Satisfactory acceptable work. Student performance meets designated course expectations, demonstrates understanding of the course materials and performs at an acceptable level.

B-

2.67

Marginal work. Student performance demonstrates incomplete, substandard understanding of course materials, or absence of required work; indicates danger of falling below acceptable grading standard.

C+

2.33

Unsatisfactory work. Student performance demonstrates unsatisfactory understanding of course materials and inability to meet course requirements.

C

2.0

Unacceptable work. Student performance demonstrates incomplete and inadequate understanding of course materials.

C-

1.67

Poor work.

F

0.0

Failing Grade

(DU GSLIS Bulletin, 23)

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Course Calendar

 

Week One – January 10

            Introductions and course overview

Topic: Role of the library media specialist/librarian in media production & design.

Design Principles

Tools: Computer basics, Blackboard, and Word tutorial

Reading for 1/17: Non-Designer’s Design Book, Chapters 1-7

 

Week Two – January 17

Topic: Equipment Selection and Evaluation Criteria

Tools: Introduction to PowerPoint, graphics on web, course wiki

DUE: Promotional flyer assignment, self-introduction on Blackboard

Reading for 1/24: Copyright for Schools, Chapters 1-7

 

Week Three – January 24

Topic: Copyright – Part I

Tools: Adding media to PowerPoint

DUE: Wiki terms

Reading for 1/31: Copyright for Schools, Chapters 8-16

 

Week Four – January 31

            Virtual Session 1

            Topic: Copyright – Part II: Copyright, plagiarism, and ethical use.

           

            Week Five – February 7

Topic: Equipment Inventories, Budget, and Software Selection

Tools: Pathfinders, Social Bookmarking, and Webquests

DUE: Equipment Evaluation PowerPoint

Reading for 2/14: Article on information literacy

 

Week Six – February 14

Topic: Information Literacy/Information Fluency

Tools: Collaborative workspaces, evaluation guides

DUE: Electronic Resource Guide Assignment

Reading for 2/21: Media literacy study

 

Week Seven – February 21

Topic: Digital Storytelling

Tools: PhotoStory, VoiceThread

Reading for 2/28: Reading on learning theory

 

Week Eight – February 28

Topic: Learning Theory

            Tools: Play day – interactive white board, storytelling, and media in presentations

DUE: Website Evaluation

            Reading for 3/13: Learning styles inventory

 

Week Nine – March 13

Topic: Databases

            Tools: Online tutorial building

DUE: Digital Storytelling

Reading for 3/27: Database article on learning theory

 

Week Ten – March 27

Topic: Staying up-to-date with emerging media: Professional reading and resources

Tools: Blogs, RSS feeds and readers

DUE: Subscription Database Assignment

Reading for 4/3: Illinois technology plan guidelines

 

Week Eleven – April 3

Topic: Technology Planning

Tools: Survey tools, Inspiration

DUE: Reflection on blog post; Site Visit and Interview

Reading for 4/10: Collaboration reading

 

Week Twelve – April 10

Topic: Models of Collaboration

DUE: Instructional Project

 

Week Thirteen – April 17

Virtual Session 2

Virtual workshop options including podcasts, conference session recordings, and webinars will be provided. Students will be asked to post reflections on Blackboard.

 

Week Fourteen – April 24

Topic: General Q & A

Course Evaluation

DUE: Instructional Project

 

Week Fifteen – May 1

Topic: Course Wrap-up

            DUE: Instructional Project

 

Refer to Assignments on Blackboard for detailed assignment requirements.