Colleagues,
I have reviewed the results of our alumni and employers surveys, conducted by the Planning and Assessment Committee, and while the following points are being or will soon be looked at
closely by the Curriculum Committee with a view to making structural changes to our program, it would be beneficial if all faculty could reflect on how the following points could be addressed in their own syllabi and lesson plans:
- Employers reported problems with writing skills and communication skills more generally. While we’d hope that students would have
developed these skills before coming to graduate school, the fact is that students coming from different educational systems will have different capabilities in this area. Please try to provide feedback on these skills in your assessments of student work wherever
possible, encourage the use of spellchecking and be sure to refer students to the
QC Writing Center for support. The Curriculum Committee is currently considering a professional writing class for GSLIS students.
- Employers and alumni both reported a desire for more practical experience in librarianship, suggesting mandatory internships for
all students, more teaching based in local libraries, and more practical exercises during class time. The Curriculum Committee will look at these suggestions, but in the interim it would be useful if faculty could consider how to develop more classroom activities
that allow students to practice skills, as well as acquire theoretical knowledge.
- Employers and alumni both reported the need for more technical content in the GSLIS curriculum, a finding borne out by our recent
ALA Accreditation visit. In Fall, the Curriculum Committee will begin a review of all technical courses and the gaps in the curriculum related to technology, classification, knowledge organization, etc. Additionally, it would be helpful if faculty could think
about how in-class exercises and assessment methods might make use of various technologies that students may need to use in their working life.
- Alumni reported that some faculty are not sufficiently engaged with the profession or with the current research in their fields,
to the detriment of their teaching. These alumni tended to have graduated some years ago now, and more recent feedback has been more positive, but it is a reminder that we are teaching in a rapidly developing field and currency is important. Please make sure
your syllabi reflect current best practice, reference up to date literature, and afford students with opportunities to engage in the current discourse themselves.
There were many positive experiences reported by respondents to both surveys, so we have a lot to be proud of, but let’s continue building this program into the program New York needs
it to be.
With thanks,
James
@JamesLowryATL