Page Comparison

Roles of Individuals Involved with School Media Practicum

School Media Student

Completing a school media practicum allows students to gain experience working in a school library. During the practicum, each student must present a plan for completing a major project or series of smaller projects that demonstrate your experience and growth in mastering competencies you targeted to strengthen after evaluating your Core Competencies.

School Media practicum students from the School of Information Studies have been involved in a number of interesting and exciting activities during their practicum experiences. Here are just a few projects that students have completed:

• Collaborating with teachers on special projects

• Teaching information literacy skills to groups of students

• Collection development and organization of a professional library

• Teaching students and staff to use new technology

• Creating a budget for a specific collection or using funds from a book fair, or other special project

• Writing a small grant for materials or services

• Developing a database or spreadsheet of resources (Internet, print, electronic, etc.) to supplement specific curricula

• Evaluating software for purchase

• Teaching Internet classes

• Presenting book talks to students

• Guiding a group of students as they develop a Web page

• Creating a library orientation video for new students

• Developing a database of web sites to supplement the curriculum

• Adding MARC records to a district wide union catalog

Site Supervisor

Your site supervisor is the exemplary Library Media Specialist with whom you will work at the school or site. In order to qualify for this position, this person must be a certified Library Media Specialist working in a school or other educational environment for a minimum of three years, and must be willing to guide you and evaluate your work. The Site Supervisor’s main responsibilities are to:

• Serve as a mentor
• Advise you in your work
• Orient you to the site
• Provide you with the necessary space and supplies to work
• Assist with completion of the School Media Learning Agreement and sign it
• Communicate with the Faculty Practicum Advisor in reference to your work
• Evaluate you upon completion of the assignment

Faculty Practicum Advisor

Patricia Vilello pcvilell@syrBlythe Bennett babennet@syr.eduPat Vilello will observe you at your practicum site (or conduct a “virtual” observation if your site is further than 50 miles from Syracuse). She may also have suggestions as to places which would be appropriate for a School Media practicum, or may know individual Media Specialists you can contact to explore possible opportunities.

Program Manager, Library and Information Science: School Media

Blythe Bennett, 315-443-5445, 110   Hinds Hall, babennet@syr.edu

Blythe can:

• Help you with any special circumstances or problems
• Enter your fieldwork milestones for your transcript, allowing you to be eligible for 972
• Grant permission in MySlice for you to register for 972
• Write a letter to prospective employers to confirm that you have completed all the required coursework (if necessary)
• Process your request for certification through the School of Education