This fall the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is offering two engaging online education courses, including: The Newbery Medal: Past, Present and Future and Children with Disabilities in the Library. Registration is now open, and courses run Oct. 5 though Nov. 13, 2009. Check-out the ALSC Blog for past participant experiences (http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/?cat=88).
The Newbery Medal: Past, Present and Future discusses different aspects of the award, the history of the medal and how it’s changed over time. Participants are given an opportunity to read, discuss and consider past and present Newbery winners with their colleagues from across the nation. The instructor of the course is Kathleen T. Horning, director of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Children with Disabilities in the Library will discuss the individual needs of disabled children and how libraries might be able to assist each child. This course will look at inclusive programming, assistive technologies, staff attitudes and legal considerations. Participants will collaboratively develop strategies for determining needs and identify resources that can be consulted when a child requires help. The instructor of the course is Katherine Todd, adjunct instructor at Manhattanville (N.Y.) College.
Courses are taught asynchronously using Moodle (www.moodle.org), an online learning community. A certificate of completion will be sent to participants upon successful completion of the course. Detailed descriptions and course registration information is available on the ALSC Web site at www.ala.org/alscevents. Fees are $95 for personal ALSC members; $145 for personal ALA members; and $165 for non-members.
Questions about this or other ALSC events should be directed to Jenny Najduch, ALSC marketing specialist at jnajduch@ala.org or 312-280-4026.