ACRL/Instruction Section (IS)
Current Issue Discussion Groups
Call for proposals for ALA Annual Conference, June 2008
Description
Current Issue Discussion Groups provide a way for IS members to
introduce instruction-related topics of current
importance, to promote discussion and encourage further exploration.
What to Include in the Proposal
The following five elements need to be addressed and clearly stated in
the proposal:
-A clear description of the discussion topic's issue/s
-Rationale for convening a discussion on the topic's issue/s
- Importance of the topic's issue/s for academic instruction
librarians
- At least three sample discussion questions that may be used to
facilitate group discussion
- Proposed strategies and structure that will maintain group
discussion
The potential scope of issues includes, but is not limited to:
Teaching methods; Instruction and Information technology; Assessment;
Management of instruction programs;
Outreach and collaboration; Research in academic information literacy.
The topic should be focused enough to be
covered reasonably well within the allotted time. (For example
"Everything about WIKIs" would be too broad,
while "Using WIKIs in Library Instruction at Academic Institutions"
might be just the right scope).
Expectations for Current Issue Discussion Group Conveners
For the selected proposals, the proposal author(s) will serve as
convener(s) and commit to:
- becoming up-to-date and familiar with the discussion topic;
- exploring possible discussion formats and selecting the appropriate
format that allows for maximum discussion
within the parameters and scope of the topic;
-drafting an initial two-page to three-page, double spaced "Current
Issue Digest" summarizing findings about the issue to be posted to ILI-L at least one week (by June 20, 2008) before the conference and handed out at the
discussion;
-identifying a few key readings, related organizations and/or
programs to include in the "Current Issue Digest;"
-facilitating the "Current Topics Discussion" at the ALA Annual
Conference (in Anaheim, California: June 26-
July 2, 2008);
-revising and submitting a final "Current Issue Digest" to be posted
on the IS web site within one month (by
August 2, 2008) of the discussion;
-distributing the final Current Issue Digest to the ILI Listserv
after the ALA Annual Conference;
-maintaining communication with an assigned liaison from the
Discussion Group Steering Committee
throughout the planning, program, and follow-up processes.
Who May Apply
Applications are welcome from any IS members.
How to Apply
Complete and submit the proposal form to the IS Current Issue
Discussion Group Steering Committee co-chair by
November 15, 2007. The proposal form will appear very shortly on the
Committee's webpage,
http://www.ala.org/ala/acrlbucket/is/iscommittees/webpages/discussiongroup/index.cfm
Send the completed form to Gail Gradowski
(ggradowski@scu.edu).
Contact committee co-chair Gail Gradowski (ggradowski@scu.edu) with
questions.
Process
Selection will be based on the perceived importance and impact of the
proposed topic. Additional selection criteria
used in the selection process includes evaluating proposed topics for:
timeliness, relevancy, currency, practicality
(that the topic lends itself to a discussion), innovation, evidence of
applicant's knowledge, and clear focus.
Proposals must be submitted by November 15, 2007 for ALA Annual in
Anaheim, California. By December 15,
2007, proposal writers will be notified as to whether or not their
proposal was accepted and will be assigned one of
the two discussion time slots. Conveners are responsible for their own
conference registration and travel expenses.
