Transcript Development of an Online Curriculum in Health Sciences

Ester Saghafi, MEd, MLS
Nancy H. Tannery, MLS
Barbara A. Epstein, MSLS, AHIP
Health Sciences Library System
University of Pittsburgh
The Grant: a brief history
 The School of Information Sciences (iSchool) and the
Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) at the University
of Pittsburgh (Pitt) awarded a grant for $991,311 from
The Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS).
 3-year grant period: July 2009-June 2012
 Grant supports development and implementation of a
Post Master's Certificate of Advanced Study in Health
Sciences Librarianship (HealthCAS).
What is HealthCAS?
 An online post-master’s program
addressing the national need for advanced
education for librarians and information
managers in the health sciences.
 Year-long 15-credit Certificate of Advanced
Study (CAS) offering a focused curriculum,
concentrating on current issues in health
sciences librarianship.
Partnership
 An ALA-accredited LIS program
 A Dynamic Academic Health Sciences Library
 Offering a unique educational experience
Project Management
Partners
 Health Sciences Library System (HSLS)
 iSchool
HealthCAS Management
 Program Team
 iSchool: Associate Professor; Director of Distance Education
 HSLS: Director and Associate Director
 HSLS: Reference Librarian, Project Manager (50% FTE)
 Advisory Board
 Evaluation Consultant
Program Goal
Prepare students for:
 Advanced Professional Positions in
 Health Sciences Libraries in
 Diverse Settings
Program Instructional Objectives
MLA Educational Policy Statement, Competencies for Lifelong Learning and
Professional Success http://www.mlanet.org/education/policy/executive_summary.html
1. Health sciences & health care environment
2. Role of the library in health sciences/care settings
3. Health Information needs of diverse user groups & services to meet
those needs
4. Management of health information resources
5. Utilization of technology and systems to manage all forms of health
information
6. Curricular design and instruction
7. Locating, filtering and critical evaluation of research literature
Curriculum Development
 Program Team met with HSLS librarians to introduce the
project.
 Task force of HSLS librarians participated in a series of
brainstorming sessions.
 Task force identified topics to be covered in the curriculum.
 Topics were grouped into appropriate courses to be offered
over 3 terms.
 HSLS librarians were surveyed and recruited to serve as
faculty.
The Curriculum
 Term 1: Libraries in the Health Care Environment (4 credits)
Summer Session (May-August) with a mandatory 3-day onsite session in
Pittsburgh in June.
 Term 2: Management of Library Collections & Resources
in the Health Care Environment (4 credits)
Fall Session (September-December)
 Term 3: Library Services and Instruction in the Health Care
Environment (4 credits)
Spring Session (January-April)
 Individual Applied Research Project (3 credits, 1 credit/term)
Yearlong research project conducted at student’s home institution or a
nearby setting, with mentoring/supervision by a local health sciences
librarian.
 Capstone event prior to MLA Annual Meeting in May for
students and mentors
Students present their research projects.
HealthCAS Faculty
HSLS faculty librarians
 Subject experts with substantial practical
experience
 3-person faculty team for each course (volunteer
librarians with certain subject expertise as needed)
Challenges
 Recruitment & Assignment (faculty as adjunct prof.)
 Training (instructional development, online instruction
methods & novel technologies)
 Management (scheduling & compensation)
Teaching in the
Online Environment
 Content Development for Online Delivery
 Subject Expertise & Experience
 Course Development Skills
 Training for Teaching in the Online Delivery
 Instructional Design
 Technology Training
 Access to Technology for Online Delivery
 CourseWeb on Blackboard
 Hardware/Software Requirements
 Tech Support
HealthCAS Students
 Cohort of 10-25 students move together through the
yearlong program.
 IMLS grant provides full scholarship and travel expenses for
10-12 students in the first 2 cohorts.
 Graduate Degree from ALA accredited LIS program required.
 Application process requires transcripts, recommendations,
statement of purpose, and portfolio of accomplishments.
 Recruitment done through listserv announcements, direct
mailings, library meetings, HealthCAS web site, etc.
Learning in the
Online Environment
 Experience an alternative to the traditional “professorial
model” in teaching and learning.
 The Cohort experience: a community of learners, where
students share valuable experiences both intellectually
and socially.
 Students benefit from opportunities,
 to learn in new ways.
 to retool without giving up time from families and careers.
 to share with one another experiences from the course, the
program and their work.
Progress
 “Pioneer cohort” of 13 students began the first
year program on May 10, 2010.
 Onsite Pittsburgh visit to take place on June 6-9.
 Online course development completed for Term 1.
 Coursework for Terms 2 & 3 is in development.
HealthCAS
Program Directors
Susan Alman, PhD, Director of Distant Education
iSchool, University of Pittsburgh
Barbara Epstein, MSLS, AHIP, Director
HSLS, University of Pittsburgh
Nancy Tannery, MLS, Associate Director, Use Services
HSLS, University of Pittsburgh
Christinger Tomer, PhD, Associate Professor
iSchool, University of Pittsburgh.
HealthCAS/HSLS Faculty
Term 1:
Jill Foust, MLS
Linda Hartman, MLS, AHIP
Mary Lou Klem, PhD, MLIS
Term 3
Rebecca Abromitis, MLS
Michele Kline Fedyshine, MSLS,RN
Charles Wessl, MLS
Term 2:
Renae Barger, MLIS
Leslie Czechowski, MA, MLS
John LaDue, MLIS
Volunteer Faculty
Carrie Iwema, PhD
Andrea Ketchum, MLIS, AHIP
Mellisa Ratajeski, MLIS, RLAT
Patricia M. Weiss, MLIS
HealthCAS Advisory Board
Chair
Gary D. Byrd, PhD, Director
Health Sciences Library, University at Buffalo (SUNY)
Members
Ellen Gay Detlefsen, DLS, Associate Professor, School of Information
Sciences, University of Pittsburgh.
Kathel Dunn, MLS, Program Coordinator, Associate Fellowship Program,
National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Judy Consales, MLS, Director, Louise Darling Medical Library, UCLA.
Carla D. Hayden, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, Enoch Pratt Free Library,
Baltimore.
Program Evaluation Consultant
Neal Rambo, MLS, Acting Director, Health Sciences Libraries &
Acting Associate Dean, University Libraries, University of Washington
Learn More About HealthCAS
Ester Saghafi, HealthCAS Project Manager
[email protected]
412-648-1973
http://www.ischool.pitt.edu/health/