San José State University’s School of Library and Information Science has offered a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree in some form for more than 50 years. It has recently become one of the largest graduate programs in any discipline in the state, and is the world’s largest accredited LIS program, with more than 2,500 graduate students.
The school is a recognized leader in making effective use of leading-edge technologies for distance learning. In 2007 U.S. News and World Report named it the No. 1 e-learning service provider in its discipline. In 2008 ALISE awarded its faculty innovation award to San José, pointing to a sustained record of adept, responsive, and pervasive adoption of new and innovative technologies that enhance student learning and support the needs of students throughout the entire lifespan of their relationship with the school.
How did this happen? How does a smaller, less-known program develop itself as a leader in its field with a strategic orientation, technological prowess, and thousands of students from around the world?
Several innovative approaches were introduced by faculty, laying the groundwork for sustained growth and development. These constitute a set of best practices for any program, in any discipline, in the 21st century.
Specifically, the School developed a planned and coordinated strategic orientation. It eliminated faculty meetings and moved to quarterly faculty retreats. Each retreat focuses on strategic planning, curriculum review, assessment or benchmarking operations.
The program has achieved exceptional growth and recognition due to
• A deep understanding of its local context and opportunities,
• A governance structure to develop and sustain a strategic orientation, clearly defined roles and responsibilities,
• Strategic planning as a process, not an event, with accountability, resources, and consequences,
• A focus on continual improvement through data collection and analysis and quality controls,
• A process for curriculum review, development, and implementation,
• Leveraged and formal partnerships taking advantage of mutual goals, including unique degree programs and the gateway Ph.D. program,
• Identification of key target markets with aggressive and professional marketing,
• Identifying and pursuing alternate revenue streams and investing revenue for specific returns, whether research productivity or donations, and
• Vigorous assessment of outcomes, including high standards for both entry and exit.
It takes a unique approach to part-time faculty with an international pool of recognized scholars coordinated through full-time tenure-track faculty, supported by a biennial faculty institute on pedagogy in higher education. Class size is small and intensive training required for teaching on-line. A sense of community has been enhanced through online social networking and web conferencing tools.
The School is on track to achieve its vision for 2010: to be recognized as a leader in graduate education in library and information science, delivering innovative, high-quality programs across the state, the continent, and beyond.
Posted by admin on September 8, 2008
Tags: Uncategorized
Comments on specific paragraphs:
Click the
icon to the right of a paragraph
Comments on the page as a whole:
Click the
icon to the right of the page title (works the same as paragraphs)