| Aug. 3rd, 2005 @ 12:24 am Preparing for orientaion to the Rutgers MLIS program |
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Hello non-existant audience!
Been a while since I've posted, but this is supposed to be a library school blog and I've not had a class since last I posted. To summarize, I started an MLIS program at Drexel University but after the class started I was accepted into a program that seems to serve better my needs. The MLIS program at Rutgers is also distance learning, but this one emphasizes a subject near to my heart: digital libraries.
So I finished the one course at Drexel and I liked it. The professor was very good, I learned a lot, and if for any reason Rutgers does not work out (and I expect it will) I'd be happy to return to DU.
Finally received my introductory packet from Rutgers. One thing I think is funny about a distance learning program is a mandatory 3-day on-site orientation. Not a big deal for me because I can commute, but if I was from Binghamton NY, Missoula MT, or Santa Fe, NM I might be peeved at having to travel for a degree that was promised to have been taught at a distance. Still, it is only three days and being that it is a pioneer program I can't blame them for wanting to meet their victimes -- er -- students, and make sure everything starts right. In all I find the orientation surprising but not irksom
Mini Orientation Syllabus:
Day 1:
Overview of LIS as a profession and discipline
Plan of study
Aministrative issues and registration
Rutgers email accounts and IDs
Day 2:
Distsance access to Rutgers resources
Tour of New Brunswick campus
ID Cards
Student life
Day 3:
About online learning
Tutorial: Rutgers Online course system
Issues in grad studies
Honestly I can't see how all that adds up to barely two days, but I don't know what comprises each element and what is missing from this short list.
Classes for our first year are pre-determined, starting with:
Human Information Behavior
Info Tech for Libraries and Information Agencies
The first course promises to be a special one, but I am conflicted about the second. I've been a provessional in information tech for going on 12 years now, so you'd think the course too elementary for my needs. And they've offered us a chance to CLEP out (American slang meaning to waive a course dependent on the successful completion of an assessment) of it and into something else, an offer I've been considering
On one hand a lot of what is going to be covered in this course really will be review. On the other some of it will be either new or, and here's the kicker, presented to me in an organized fashion for the first time. Remember I started this out as a history teacher interested in using tech in the classroom. I wanted to be the historian who used technology but became the technologist who studies history. Being an autodidact is great fun and got me where I am, but it can't hurt to review these subjects systematically.
So that's my decision -- I'll take that standardized course structure, including the info tech course. As with the other, it should be fun. As I've said, I'm not looking forward to the orientation but am very excited about the program.
I'll ring back when I have something to report from the orientation next week -- cheers --
Robert |
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