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Survival Guide for Off-Site Students

About Distance Education at SLIS-Indianapolis

What classes can I take at a distance?

SLIS-Indianapolis offers all of the courses necessary for basic public library certification in Indiana through interactive video (VIC) courses in Indianapolis, Gary, South Bend, and Fort Wayne. Many of these courses are required for the MLS and/or school library media certification. The courses available through interactive video are:

  • S504 Cataloging
  • S501 Reference
  • S554 Library Systems
  • S551 Library Management
  • S502 Collection Development and Management
  • S571 Materials for Youth
  • S671 School Media
  • SLIS-Indianapolis also offers a growing number of classes as online (Internet-based) classes.

Recent online course offerings include:

  • S574 Information Inquiry for School Teachers
  • S621 Audio and Video Sources
  • S532 Information Architecture for the Web
  • S603 Electronic Materials for Children and Young Adults
  • S603 Grant Writing for Educators and Librarians
  • S603 Technology Rich Learning
  • S622 Resources and Services for People with Disabilities

SLIS-Indianapolis also offers several hybrid courses that combine online content with traditional (face-to-face) learning.

  • S401 Computer Based Information Tools
  • S505 Evaluation of Library Sources and Services

How does an interactive video (VIC) course work?

The Virtual Indiana Classroom (VIC) allows several campus locations to connect and interact with two-way audio and video. Usually class is conducted with the instructor in Indianapolis, although some instructors travel to other sites during the semester.

As much as possible, instructors try to engage students in discussions and activities across the sites. VIC is not intended to be simply a "talking head" one-way instruction mode, but has potential for students and instructors to engage in interactive teaching and learning.

Many instructors establish an online discussion area on Oncourse or a class mailing list to allow enhance students additional opportunities to contribute to class discussions. Students often have the opportunity to elaborate on class topics and to demonstrate how they can share additional information concerning issues that are raised in the class sessions.

VIC class sessions are often videotaped for the instructor's use. Depending on the policy of the instructor, taped sessions may be made available to students on request, but recordings are NOT made for the purpose of providing the course over videotape.

Students are expected to attend VIC sessions just as in they would a face-to-face class. The evaluation of students may include reduction of their grade for failure to attend VIC sessions.

How does an online course work?

Many of the classes offered online through SLIS-Indianapolis use Oncourse as the platform for delivering the class. Oncourse is an online course environment developed by Indiana University (IU). Every class at IU has an Oncourse component, although some instructors may not utilize it. Through Oncourse, instructors and students can make use of tools such as class rosters, discussion forums, e-mail, calendar, and gradebook. You can learn more about how to use Oncourse by clicking on the link, then clicking the "Help" button on the menu on the left of the screen.

Each instructor will establish the parameters for the online course, just as in a traditional face-to-face course. In general, you should expect to do both independent and small group work, as well as engage in class ‘discussion'. Activities and assignments will be similar to those you would receive in a traditional class. Most instructors do not require students to be online at the same time (i.e. synchronously); instead, most instructors set deadlines for students' contributions to ongoing discussions and activities.

Most students spend a bit more time preparing for and interacting in online courses than they do in traditional courses. This extra time is a result, in part, of the text-based nature of interactions—reading and writing often takes longer than listening and speaking. You will want to plan to check in on your online course at least two or three times each week in order to stay current with the class.

How do I find out which classes are offered through interactive video (VIC) or online?
Our interactive video (VIC) courses are offered on a fixed, rotating schedule as shown below.

Summer I
S551 Library Management

Summer II
S504 Cataloging

Fall
S502 Collection Development and Management
S571 Materials for Youth

Spring
S401 Computer Based Information Tools (not for certification or MLS credit)
S501 Reference
S554 Library Systems
S671 School Media

To check for online classes or to see when days and times for interactive video and hybrid classes, you can check the course schedules at the SLIS-Indianapolis website or OneStart. Online classes carry the designation "Web-based" in the "Day/Time" listing in the schedule.

Who will my instructors be in interactive video (VIC) or online classes?
Your instructors for distance education classes at SLIS-Indianapolis will be the qualified faculty members you would have as instructors in traditional face-to-face classes. All of our full-time faculty members teach at least one distance education course annually. Several of our adjunct faculty members teach distance education courses as well.

About Taking Classes at a Distance at SLIS-Indianapolis

How do I register for classes?
All students register on the Internet using the Self-Service channel at OneStart . Classes—including those interactive video courses that have meeting rooms at Gary, South Bend, and Fort Wayne—are listed under the Indianapolis campus information for SLIS.

You can get additional information about registration by viewing the help information available at the Knowledge Base.

If you have questions about registration, please contact the SLIS-Indianapolis office at 317-278-2375 or toll free, 866-758-6254.

How do I get my computer ID and password?
Once you are admitted to SLIS-Indianapolis, you are eligible to sign up for your computer network ID and password. The process is fast and simple. Just visit the Account Management Website and follow the instructions. If you encounter any difficulties, please call the IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis) University Information Technology Services (UITS) Support Center at 317-274-4357.

How do I use the library?
Students enrolled in any classes—including distance education classes—at SLIS-Indianapolis are considered IUPUI students. As a result, the IUPUI University Library serves you.

Once you have your computer network ID and password, you can use those to access the wealth of online databases available through University Library. See Library Databases and Electronic Journals for the most current listing of online resources available to you.

You may also take advantage of the online (e-mail or chat) reference services that are offered by University Library. See Research Help at University Library for more information.

In order to borrow materials, you should have a student identification card (JagTag) that allows you to borrow materials at any IU campus library. You can obtain a JagTag by visiting one of the locations listed at the Campus Card Services page.

Distance students should also be aware that SLIS-Indianapolis purchases materials for libraries outside the Indianapolis area in order to give our distance students access to beneficial resources. You can find reasonable collections of journals and books to help you with your coursework at the campus libraries at IUN (Gary), IUSB (South Bend), and IPFW (Fort Wayne). In addition, be sure to check the collections at Lake County Public Library's main branch in Merrillville, the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris's main branch in Mishawaka, and the Allen County Public Library's main branch in Fort Wayne.

How do I get textbooks?
You may order your textbooks from the IUPUI JAGS Bookstore or from a book dealer of your choice such as Amazon.

How do I get a student ID?
You can only obtain a student ID (JagTag) by visiting the IUPUI campus. The office locations are listed on the Campus Card Services page. While you are not required to have a JagTag, you may want one for expanded library privileges, student discounts, and other benefits.

How do I contact my instructor? E-mail is often the most efficient way to contact your instructors. You can find full-time instructors' e-mail addresses by visiting SLIS at IUPUI. You may also search for them in the IU Address Book.

Instructors generally provide phone contact information in their course syllabi as well, or you may leave a message for them by contacting the SLIS-Indianapolis office at 317-278-2375 or toll free, 866-758-6254.

You should not hesitate to contact your instructors at any point. Often, big problems in courses can be avoided with early and/or regular contact.

Will I have an advisor?
If you are admitted to SLIS-Indianapolis as a degree student, you will be assigned an advisor who is a full-time faculty member at SLIS. You are not required to meet with or contact your advisor, but if you have any questions or concerns about your classes or degree progress, you are encouraged to contact him or her.

You may also elect to change your advisor at any point. To do so, be sure you have the consent of the person whom you would like to be your advisor, then contact the SLIS-Indianapolis office at 317-278-2375 or toll free, 866-758-6254, to make the change.

Marilyn Irwin (irwinm@iupui.edu), the Associate Dean and Associate Professor for SLIS-Indianapolis, visits the campuses at Gary, South Bend, and Fort Wayne each semester. Regardless of who your advisor is you may choose to meet with her during these visits for advising.

Do I need to come to Indianapolis? Although attendance is not required, SLIS-Indianapolis encourages all students to attend one of the orientation meetings held at Indianapolis at the beginning of fall and spring semesters. These orientation meetings give students the opportunity to meet instructors and fellow students. In addition, new students can make time to get the JagTag (identification card) and tour the library on the day of the meeting.

At this point, students are unable to earn all of the necessary credit hours to complete the requirements of an MLS by taking only distance classes. So, at some point, students will most likely need to come to Indianapolis to take a few classes. By coming to one of the new student orientations, you can better learn your way around campus and make those on-campus classes less stressful in the future.

What do I do about parking at IUPUI or other campuses? Because you register for classes as an IUPUI student, you may apply for a parking permit through IUPUI. At this time, you must do this in person. Your IUPUI parking permit allows you to park in appropriate areas on all IU campuses—including the ones at Gary, South Bend, and Fort Wayne.

Students will need to evaluate their need to purchase parking passes based on their individual and local situations. If you are attending evening or weekend classes at Gary, South Bend, and Fort Wayne, free parking is readily available at those campuses; visitor parking (at a cost) is available at other times at these campuses. At IUPUI, visitor parking (at a cost) is available in a number of locations throughout campus.

For more information about parking permits and locations of visitor parking at IUPUI, visit Parking Services.

About Succeeding in Classes at a Distance at SLIS-Indianapolis

What kind of computer, Internet connection, and software do I need?
Technology options are diverse and they change rapidly, so it would be impossible to suggest a single system that will meet the needs of every student. Generally speaking, newer, faster systems and faster Internet connections (such as cable modem or DSL) are preferable.

Indiana University publishes a Computer Guide that recommends basic system requirements for student use. You can find this guide at Knowledge Base Computer Guide.

A variety of free and low-cost software such as Microsoft Office is available to students at Indiana University. To learn how to obtain this software, visit the Knowledge Base Computer Guide or the IU Software Agreements page.

How much time should I expect to devote to each course?
Distance education and web-based courses are constructed on the same content expectations as any other graduate course from SLIS-Indianapolis. Students should expect to invest at least 3 hours outside of class for every contact hour; for a 3-credit hour course, the general contact hour expectation is 45 hours.

Web-based courses can become especially time-consuming as the student is expected to manage his or her time and meet deadlines often without the presence of the instructor. Access to and use of technologies can be even more demanding in a web-based course than in a face-to-face lab situation.

Students should be sure they understand the full expectations for the online course before they enroll. The specific instructors for the online courses are listed in the schedules found on our website along with their e-mail.

How do I make the most of my time in an interactive video (VIC) or online class?
Most students in distance education courses find that they get the most out of their classes by being active participants. Just as in a traditional face-to-face course, students who are motivated and engaged tend to find their coursework more fulfilling.

Of course, distance education courses bring their own sets of challenges for students. In addition to reviewing the information provided in the "What to expect" section above, you may find it valuable to read through the "Distance Education Student Primer" produced by Indiana University.

Many students who take or exempt S401 Computer-Based Information Tools early in their academic pursuits feel more confident completing interactive video (VIC) or online classes. S401 gives students basic competencies necessary to navigate Oncourse, send and receive e-mail attachments, manage computer files, create basic Web pages, and more. All students at SLIS-Indianapolis must complete or exempt S401 within their first 9 credit hours, but consider taking this class first.

Is there a recommended sequence for taking classes?
Normally, graduate students seeking the MLS complete the courses that satisfy the core areas within the first 15 credits of your program. There is not a required order for completing the core requirements, but students often progress in the following manner: S501, S502, S503 or S504, S506 or S505, and completion of a management course such as S551. Based on students' experiences and advisors' recommendations, another sequence may be more appropriate.

Students who plan to complete the requirements for teacher of library media within the MLS should follow the same core path as other MLS students. Those who need to complete the specific 27 credits for this certification should note that S502 and S503/S505 are not required for certification and that S671 counts for the management core requirement.

What student support services are available?
Off-site students have access to the same array of support services available to on-campus students. For example, all students are eligible to use library materials and services from University Library at IUPUI, for technical/computer support from UITS (University Information Technology Services), and to register with Adaptive Educational Services if you have special needs.

In addition to these campus-wide services, SLIS-Indianapolis off-site students can get SLIS-related assistance. Students who have questions or concerns about financial aid, registration, and similar administrative issues can contact the SLIS-Indianapolis office at 317-278-2375 or toll free, 866-758-6254. Students who have questions or concerns about distance education issues—support, materials, advising, academics, and the like—can contact Marilyn Irwin, the Associate Dean and Associate Professor for SLIS-Indianapolis, at irwinm@iupui.edu.

SLIS-Indianapolis offers to electronic mailing lists that are open to all students. By subscribing to SLIS-INDY, students can keep up with announcements about scholarships, jobs, internships, courses, and more. By subscribing to SLISSTUDENTS-L, students can share information about textbooks, carpooling, and general concerns in a student-only environment. Information about how to subscribe to both of these mailing lists can be found at SLIS-INDY listserv page.