S603: Electronic Materials for Children and Young Adults

Indiana University at Indianapolis
School of Library and Information Science

From educational software to informational websites, a wide range of electronic materials are currently available for children and young adults. These materials can help parents entertain and motivate their children. They can also assist teachers in meeting the individual learning needs of children.

Rather than just providing a bunch of readings and assignments, this course is centered around a CourseQuest called "Shake Em" Up". A CourseQuest is an inquiry-based approach to learning that provides a "real world" challenge and the resources needed to meet that challenge.

This page was designed for a graduate course at IUPUI. If you've stumbled upon the course and want to learn more about it, email Dr. Annette Lamb for more information.

Instructor Contact Information

Name - Annette Lamb, Ph.D.
Mail Forwarding Address - 238 Rainbow Drive #13839 Livington TX 77399-2038
Dr. Lamb travels throughout the semester, so mail is forwarded from the Texas address. Email for the latest direct address.
Email - alamb@eduscapes.com or anlamb@iupui.edu
Voice Mail or Fax through Vision to Action - 620 343 7989

Online Course Materials

Course Materials - http://eduscapes.com/earth
Syllabus - http://eduscapes.com/earth/course/syllabus.html
Requirements - http://eduscapes.com/earth/course/require.html
Checklist - http://eduscapes.com/earth/course/checklist.html
CourseQuest - http://eduscapes.com/earth/course/courseguide.html
Oncourse Sharing Area - http://oncourse.iu.edu
Audio and Video Collection Development Resources - http://eduscapes.com/earth/course/bib.html

Required Print Course Materials

Lamb, Annette (2006). Building Treehouses for Learning: Technology in Today's Classrooms. 4th Edition. Emporia, Kansas: Vision to Action. ISBN 1-891917-08-0
BE SURE TO GET THE 4TH EDITION SO YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE WEB 2.0 MATERIALS!
Also, be sure to check out the companion website.

Quickest Option: Direct order by calling or emailing:
Vision to Action Voice Mail: 620 343 7989
Vision to Action Fax: 620 343 7989
Email: visiontoaction@gmail.com or nanbilsmith@gmail.com

You can also order online and pay by using PayPal (fast way) at:
http://www.eduscapes.com/v2a/index.html

Another Option: IUPUI Bookstore

Final Option: You may also order online from Amazon.com (takes a little longer)

Course Assumptions

The following entry skills are required for this course:

• demonstrate basic computer skills related to keyboarding, operating system, and disk management.
• identify, select, access, and evaluate information found on the Internet and in the library.
• use technology as a personal and professional productivity tool for activities such a word processing (Microsoft Word) and desktop presentations (Microsoft PowerPoint).
• use a word processor, web development tool, or raw HTML for simple web page development.
• download trial versions of software from the web for evaluation purposes such as educational software (i.e., Inspiration) - directions are provided in class.
• download drivers and plugins such as Real Media, Windows Media Player, and/or QuickTime to play audio and video from the web. - directions are provided in class.
• use oncourse for forums and information sharing.

This course makes the assumption that you are able to work independently. There are no required face-to-face meetings. There are no required synchronous online meetings. However, feel free to email or arrange a chat with your instructor any time!

Course Description

This three-credit hour course focuses on the evaluation, selection, management, and use of electronic materials for children and young adults including web and computer-based materials. Learners will explore categories of resources and develop materials such as Pathfinders and WebQuests to facilitate access and promote learning. Issues such as copyright, technology planning, and grant writing will also be explored.

This course will expand your thinking about the integral role of electronic resources in a comprehensive school, academic, and/or public library setting. This course will be taught entirely online including web-based readings and resources, threaded discussions, plus online presentations and activities. Choices allow graduate students with varied backgrounds and interests to select activities that meet their professional needs.

Course Goals

Students will be able to:

• Make effective decisions related to electronic materials for children and young adults.
• Develop, manage, and organize electronic materials collections.
• Evaluate and select electronic materials resources in specific categories.
• Address access, organization, promotion, copyright, and censorship issues.
• Develop plans for addressing technology needs and acquiring funds.
• Integrate electronic materials into the K12 libraries, classrooms, and public libraries.
• Create pathfinders, webquests and other materials to facilitate access and promote learning.

Course Requirements

For a complete description of the requirements, go to the Course Requirements page.

For a nice checklist of the course activities, check out Course Checklist.

Course Grades

The points awarded for each activity are indicated on the Course Requirements ppage. High expectations have been set for this course. Please notice that outstanding achievement will require careful attention to course criteria and exceptional quality in course assignments.

Final grades are based on the following range within the total 100 points possible:

A 98-100
A- 95-97
B+ 92-94
B 89-91
B- 86-88
C 80-85
D 75-79
F below 75

The meaning of the letter grades follows the SLIS Grading Policy:

A: 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. The grade of A+ is not granted in SLIS, except in very exceptional cases.
A-: Excellent achievement. Student performance demonstrates thorough knowledge of the course materials and exceeds course expectations by completing all requirements in a superior manner.
B+: Very good work. Student performance demonstrates above-average comprehension of the course materials and exceeds course expectations on all tasks defined in the course syllabus.
B: Good work. Student performance meets designated course expectations, demonstrates understanding of the course materials, and has performed at an acceptable level.
B-: Marginal work. Student performance demonstrates incomplete understanding of course materials.
C+, C, C-: Unsatisfactory work and inadequate understanding of course materials.
D+, D, D-: Unacceptable work; course work completed at this level will not count toward the MLS degree.
F: Failing. May result in an overall grade point average below 3.0 and possible removal from the program.

A final grade of "I" or "Incomplete" will NOT be given except in extreme situations (As an adjunct professor, your instructor cannot assign an "I" grade). Please contact me if you're having difficulty completing the requirements of this course.

Accommodations

Students needing accommodations because of disability must register with Adaptive Educational Services and complete the appropriate form before accommodations will be given.  The AES office is located in Cavanaugh Hall 001E, 425 University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202-5140 and may be reached by phone 317/274-3241 or 317/278-2050 TTD/TTY; by fax 317/274-2051; or by email aes@iupui.edu   

For more information go to http://life.iupui.edu/aes/

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