Susan W. Alman – författare

Learn from experts who have created and presented Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) that can reach a vast audience, and discover how to develop and present this new online form of continuing education.MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) have become popular with eager learners as well as some educators wanting to test the boundaries of learning. Understandably, many educators approach MOOCs with trepidation and a number of questions. Are MOOCs simply a fad? Does this new venue threaten traditional higher education models? How are teachers to be remunerated for their efforts? And what can be done about student retention in an anonymous venue of a MOOC?This book answers these questions and many more, offering a practical and realistic guide to MOOCs—one that will help anyone involved in higher education to better understand MOOCs and enable them to make decisions about whether and how to offer MOOCs. The authors address topics such as the various costs of offering a MOOC (teachers, developers, licensing, and software), explain accessibility options, examine the challenges of copyright and the administration required, and explore what the librarian's role should be. This insightful guide also explains your options for the presentation of text, video, and audio content; whether to give assignments or tests; and how to decide whether you should offer your MOOC for free or require a fee and offer a certificate upon course completion.

This publication focuses on the past, present, and future impact of school librarians. The contributors are recognized leaders within the information profession with expertise in school libraries, and they chronicle international issues in professional education, scholarship, organizations, and the innovations of practitioners –information that appeals to a global audience of professional educators, practitioners, and students involved in school libraries.The book is divided into three parts with each chapter contributed by an individual who has made significant contributions to the profession. Part 1 focuses on the history of school libraries and children’s literature. Part 2 provides a perspective on the current trends and opportunities for professional development and scholarship for school librarians, and Part 3 offers views on the ways school librarians will interact with students and teachers in the future. Readers will find authoritative information about the education, professional associations, scholarship, and innovations that are occurring internationally, and they will be inspired to perpetuate the legacy of school library advocacy established by Dr. E. Blanche Woolls. The book will appeal to a global audience of professional educators, practitioners, and students involved in school libraries.

This book provides an introduction and helpful guide to online education for librarians and educators in the K–12, public, and academic library settings.Today's librarians must be comfortable working in online learning environments, teaching information literacy courses, and supporting online students across curricula. With the rapid proliferation of the Internet and online technologies in the last decade, however, it is not uncommon for some library professionals to feel left behind. Designing Online Learning: A Primer for Librarians provides best practices for librarians who are unfamiliar with online education and need guidance in either developing an online course or providing support to faculty and students in online courses.This book offers practical guidance for librarians and educators serving a variety of users, including students and teachers in the K–12, public, and academic library communities. The authors provide a valuable introduction to online teaching and learning that details elementary technologies and technical standards, utilizes case studies that showcase successful programs, and identifies best practices for design, instructor development, and student assessment.