Syracuse University School of Information Studies and the Kaufmann Foundation Enitiative Project present
IST 600: Gaming in Libraries (1 Credit)Tentative Syllabus: Last updated 5/10/09. Please watch
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfjd4d9r_39hdxh6gdf for changes to this document.
Instructor Information:
Scott Nicholson, Associate Professor, Syracuse University School of Information Studies
Preferred e-communication – IST 600 in the Learning Management System
E-mail: srnichol@syr.edu Phone: 315-443-1640
Office: Hinds 214
Meeting Information:The class will be delivered
asynchronously in three different online platforms throughout the month of June:
- Anyone can access the video lectures, which will be delivered through YouTube at
http://tinyurl.com/gamesinlibrariesplaylist- Anyone can participate in the primary discussions, which will be through ALA Connect at
http://connect.ala.org/forum/10310 - Enrolled students will be part of a class on the iSchool Learning Management System for assignments, feedback, readings, and additional discussion at
http://ilms.syr.edu Public Access to Course Content:
Since the class is using YouTube for lecture delivery, the public will be invited to view the lectures for the class. Student content posted in the YouTube space will also be available to the public. Students may choose to use a pseudonym for participation in the public space of the class, and will register that name in the private learning managment system. Those not registered in the class may view the lecture content and may comment on the videos, but will not take part in the assignments, receive feedback or grading, or be in the private Learning Management System portion of the class.
Course Description and Learning Objectives: IST 600: Gaming in Libraries is about gaming programs in all types of libraries. Gaming includes traditional forms of games such as board games and card games as well as newer electronic gaming. In this class, the focus will be on developing and running programs where patrons play games in the library. Throughout the class, we will focus on the various aspects involved with the planning, execution, and assessment of a gaming program.
This an experimental class combining a public view of course content with public discussion and a private backchannel for the course with discussion for only members of the class. Librarians and the gaming industry will be invited to join in the YouTube class space. Students will be required to contribute four videos, one per week, as video responses in YouTube.
IST 600 Course Outcomes: • Students will be able to create a proposal for a gaming program in a library.
• Students will be able to select game experiences for library goals.
• Students will be able to select specific games to meet game experiences.
• Students will be able to develop staffing needs and equipment needs for a gaming program.
• Students will develop assessment methods for a gaming program.
• Students will create video content discussing gaming in libraries.
Textbook Information:Required Texts:
Gamers… in the Library? by Eli Neiburger 0-8389-0944-2 ALA Editions
There will be other readings assigned throughout the class, such as Nicholson, S. (Forthcoming). Go Back to Start: Gathering Baseline Data about Gaming in Libraries. Library Review. Preprint available at http://librarygamelab.org/backtostart.pdf . In addition, students should listen to the October 2008 episode of the Games in Libraries podcast, found at http://www.gamesinlibraries.org/?p=30
Other Course Requirements:Students will need to create 4 videos to be posted on YouTube during the class. Therefore, students will at least need a microphone if not also a Web camera or camcorder. I am sensitive to student’s privacy. If students wish, they can post the videos of themselves using their real name; such things can be useful when seeking a job. However, students can also do the following:
1 – Use a screen name unrelated to their real name (but I will need to know who each student is).
2 – Rather than appear on the video, the student can do voice-over-images as a slideshow using a tool like Windows Movie Maker II or iMovie. The student could also just use music under a slideshow, but it will be difficult to convey a significant message that way.
Video responses need not be long, but should be a meaningful contribution.
Assignments:There will be two major assignments for the class, all of which are required for students to receive a passing grade:
- Gaming program proposal. Throughout the class, students will develop a proposal for a gaming program. Details will be provided on the LMS. The plan can be for a real library or a made-up library, and will include a target demographic breakdown, goals for program and justification, description of target game experiences, plan for games, staffing and equipment budget, and an assessment plan. As these topics are covered in the course, students will add to their growing document.
- Video responses. Each week, students must submit at least one public video response to YouTube. Each student will select their favorite response and submit it for grading. Video responses will be graded primarily on content and contribution to the conversation.
Other Course PoliciesAcademic Integrity:
The academic community of Syracuse University and of the School of Information Studies requires the highest standards of professional ethics and personal integrity from all members of the community. Violations of these standards are violations of a mutual obligation characterized by trust, honesty, and personal honor. As a community, we commit ourselves to standards of academic conduct, impose sanctions against those who violate these standards, and keep appropriate records of violations. The academic integrity statement can be found at: http://supolicies.syr.edu/ethics/acad_integrity.htm <http://supolicies.syr.edu/ethics/acad_integrity.htm>
Student with Disabilities:
In compliance with section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Syracuse University is committed to ensure that “no otherwise qualified individual with a disability…shall, solely by reason of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity…” If you feel that you are a student who may need academic accommodations due to a disability, you should immediately register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 804 University Avenue, Room 309 3rd Floor, 315.443.4498 or 315.443.1371 (TTD only). ODS is the Syracuse University office that authorizes special accommodations for students with disabilities.
Grading:
Work is assessed using the following criteria:
• Following assignment directions;
• Accurate citation and quotation style, giving proper acknowledgement to all ideas not your own;
• Good organization, coherence, rhetorical structure;
• Good communication skills: grammar, style, spelling, clarity;
• Appropriate thoroughness and completeness for the assignment;
• Most importantly (at the graduate level): Evidence of analytical and critical thinking.
The Grading Scale is as follows:
5 – Assignment is perfect. Students should not expect 5s.
4 – Good job. Assignment covered all bases. No major flaws.
3 – Assignment had some major flaws, but was overall sound.
2 – Assignment had multiple major flaws but still had some merit.
1 – Assignment has some significant problem, is not complete, or was not completed as according to directions
0 – Failed assignment.
At the end of the semester, a final grade will be assessed for each student. Students with mostly 4s should expect an A and mostly 3s will be an A-. Grades of 2 are closer to a B, and lower graded will be assigned to students with 1s or 0s.
Ownership of Student Work:
In compliance with the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, works in all media produced by students as part of their course participation at Syracuse University may be used for educational purposes, provided that the course syllabus makes clear that such use may occur. It is understood that registration for and continued enrollment in a course where such use of student works is announced constitutes permission by the student. Because of the nature of this class, students may choose to delete their Video contributions after the class is over, or may choose to leave the contributions for others to enjoy.