At the ALSC Office we get a lot of questions about our online courses.
“What are they like?”
“Do I need to know a lot of tech stuff?”
“How is the class laid out?”
We try to answer these questions as best as can (we’re librarians too!), but sometimes the easiest answer comes from the reviews we get from previous participants. Below, we’ve included comments from previous sessions of the five courses offered this fall. Class is in session on Monday, September 26.
“I knew nothing before taking this class and feel like I have learned much about art. I now look at picture books with delight and wonder and knowledge that I did not have previously.”
“I appreciate the affordable classes since I cannot afford to attend conferences.”
Connecting with ‘Tween Readers
“I appreciated the instructor providing a bibliography of recommended books at the beginning of the course. The book discussions were also good, enabling us to understand another person’s opinion on a particular book.”
“I most appreciated the articles we read about ‘tweens. The author discussions were also fun, and got me to read books I would not have otherwise picked up.”
Reading Instruction and Children’s Books
“It is great to be able to take a course relevant to my job without having to take a college course – and learn the info I need to help my patrons.”
“Very well planned and organized course with a great support from [instructor] Kate Todd.”
Series Programming for the Elementary School Age
“I also think it is absolutely wonderful to come away from the course with 20+ program ideas. I feel re-energized about programming as a result!”
“Having time to discuss with other childrens’ librarians was a great part of this experience.”
Introduction to Graphic Novels for Children
“I liked the chats. The instructor [Janet Weber] answered promptly and was very informative. It made me feel very comfortable asking questions.”
“I found that the exposure to graphic novels to children through the weekly assignments both through my work and the contributions of all of the other participants was extremely valuable.”
Loading ...
I took the Newbery class a few years ago. I was apprehensive about taking an online class, however, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I connected with my fellow participants. The class was very valuable and fit right into my schedule. I highly recommend the ALSC online classes.
I highly recommend taking these courses! Two years ago, I completed the Newbery Award class with K. T. Horning and met a bunch of librarians (and others) who were enthusiastic about books and teaching. In fact the online interaction with the participants, who hailed from around the country, was my favorite part of the course. This year, I am registered for the Reading Instruction and Children’s Books course because I need to understand what makes a book a good one for a second grader, fifth grader, etc.
Students, parents and teachers want to know what books would be good for their grade level. For example, on the first day of school last year, I gave my students a “Who Am I” page, asking them to tell me what they would like to learn. Some wrote “I want to read _____ (e.g., 3rd) grade books.”
Although I am not in a school library this year, I hope to be back in one for 2012-13 if not sooner. Therefore, I hope to enroll in a number of these courses during the upcoming year.