Rowan University
College of Education
Department of Special Educational Services
Program in School and Public Librarianship
Professional Program Portfolio
Planning and Development
One purpose of the Professional Program Portfolio is to document the activities and experiences in librarianship and teaching that students have participated in during their formal coursework at Rowan University. Additionally, activities and experiences outside of formal coursework, including volunteer experiences, are included as part of the total teaching-learning experience for a master’s degree. The resulting portfolio or “product” demonstrates students’ achievement of the program outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills, and dispositions as well as professional growth.
Guidelines for Planning and Developing the Portfolio, 2006-07
1. A portfolio is a systematic, meaningful, and relevant collection of work representing the student’s development over a designated period of time.
2. Items included in portfolios are relevant to attaining program goals and objectives.
3. A portfolio may include input from peers, instructors, and professional colleagues and supervisors.
4. Items included in the portfolio reflect actual learning activities and accomplishments.
5. Items included may be in a variety of media and formats, including references to electronic sources and products.
6. When complete, the portfolio reflects student attainment of program knowledge, skills and disposition outcomes.
7. Self-assessment and reflection are essential components.
8. A professional development plan is an essential component.
Format for Professional Program Portfolio
Part I.
1. Front Matter
*Title page
*Table of Contents
2. Introduction
Program in School and Public Library Mission Statement.
The mission of the Program in School and Public Librarianship is to educate school library media specialists and public librarians to meet the informational and instructional needs of library users, and to be learners and leaders as well as teachers and librarians. Our graduates will help shape the future of public libraries and school library media centers in the southern New Jersey region.
*Student’s Statement of Philosophy of Librarianship/Teaching/Education (narrative)
*Documentation of program sequence (courses taken, instructors, dates, etc.—grades optional). (list)
*Brief explanation of contents and arrangement of the remainder of the portfolio. (narrative)
3. Professional Development Statement
*Personal reflections on courses, educational experiences, and professional activities completed as part of the master’s degree program ; or those educational experiences and professional activities connected with pursuit of the master’s degree. (narrative)
*Plans for continuing professional activities and education (narrative) may include:
Mentoring and peer-coaching
Networking with colleagues
Possible research and writing opportunities
Conference presentations
Keeping up with new technology
Conference and workshop attendance
Reading journals
Listserv memberships
Others?
Part II Achievement of Program Goals and Outcomes
Master’s degree graduates demonstrate proficiency as:
Goal 1. Well-informed practitioners
demonstrate knowledge of foundations of librarianship and education.
demonstrate knowledge of the role of education and information in society.
apply that knowledge to library and teaching-learning settings.
Narrative explaining how activities completed as part of your Master’s degree program have helped prepare you to meet this goal.
List of Evidence: (suggestions)
Library mission and goals statement; analysis of mission and goals
Practicum final written report
Written library resources selection policy; analysis of selection policies
Subject area curriculum guides
Teaching/bibliographic instruction units
Curriculum development projects
Professional reading
Goal 2 Committed professionals
demonstrate reflective thinking and learning
demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning
demonstrate a commitment to personal professional growth
actively participate in professional organizations and activities
demonstrate ethical practices
Narrative explaining how activities completed as part of your Master’s degree program have helped prepare you to meet this goal.
List of Evidence: (suggestions)
Practicum activity log/journal and final written report
Listing of professional development activities and memberships
Professional Development Statement
Policy and procedure manual sections
Goal 3 Effective communicators and collaborators
use effective communication skills with individuals and constituent groups
use collaborative approaches to problem solving with colleagues
demonstrate effective approaches to teaching and learning
plan and use individual and group processes in the library media program
apply learning theory in reading, listening, and viewing in the use of resources
Narrative explaining how activities completed as part of your Master’s degree program have helped prepare you to meet this goal.
List of Evidence: (suggestions)
Pathfinders, Client projects
Lesson plans and unit plans
Videotape of teaching/library environment
Class presentations and sample handouts
Observation notes from practicum supervisors
Goal 4 Efficient collection developers
apply basic principles of evaluating and selecting resources to collections
apply basic principles of collection management
develop and manage information resources
Narrative explaining how activities completed as part of your Master’s degree program have helped prepare you to meet this goal.
List of Evidence: (suggestions)
Thematic resource lists
Materials selection policy and analysis
Core collection project
Selection/weeding practicum project
Evaluation of reference resources
Professional reading
Goal 5 Effective program planners and visionary instructional leaders
demonstrate knowledge of planning for library user services and collections
provide appropriate user services and programming in school and library settings
use resources to support the needs of individuals and groups
integrate library resources through the use of the New Jersey Core curriculum
demonstrate knowledge of state library initiatives, Core Curriculum Content Standards, and state
library laws
demonstrate knowledge of changes in curriculum and instructional strategies
Narrative explaining how activities completed as part of your Master’s degree program have helped prepare you to meet this goal.
List of Evidence: (suggestions)
Library programs planned
Library programs implemented
Book talks, storytelling, reading aloud experiences
Practicum program planning project
Teacher guides
Practicum activity log and journal
Goal 6 Competent users of technological resources
use technological resources in library and educational settings
manage the design, development and use of resources for schools and libraries
produce resources for schools and libraries
select and integrate appropriate technology into library programs
Narrative explaining how activities completed as part of your Master’s degree program have helped prepare you to meet this goal.
List of Evidence: (suggestions)
Database, spreadsheet, electronic slide presentation, electronic pathfinder
Library newsletter, library services brochure
Media – Technology projects
Technology case study
Listserv participation
Evaluation of Internet resources and uses
Library/personal web pages
Goal 7 Efficient organizers of resources
provide effective and efficient organization and retrieval of resources
organize library resources for optimum access to knowledge
implement policies and procedures for effective and efficient access
Narrative explaining how activities completed as part of your Master’s degree program have helped prepare you to meet this goal.
List of Evidence: (suggestions)
Sample items cataloged in MARC format
Vendor investigation reports and presentations
Flow charts and organization charts
Circulation policy analysis
Practicum project
Goal 8 Effective managers of library programs
design, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate library programs to meet institution goals and
appropriate laws and state mandates
create optimal learning environments
organize, coordinate , and administer library media services and resources
Narrative explaining how activities completed as part of your Master’s degree program have helped prepare you to meet this goal.
List of Evidence: (suggestions)
Flow charts and organization charts
Policy and procedures manual sections
Analysis of mission and goals statement
Library Web page design and analysis
Analysis of floor plans and facilities
RFP and grant writing analysis
Goal 9 Advocates for the provision of free and equal access to information and ideas
advocate for and promote cultural diversity, social justice, and meeting the needs of diverse
populations
advocate and promote education in a democracy
advocate for and defend freedom of expression
Narrative explaining how activities completed as part of your Master’s degree program have helped prepare you to meet this goal.
List of Evidence: (suggestions)
Critique of a selection policy
Censored book defense presentation
Practicum final written report
Statement of philosophy of librarianship/teaching/education
Goal 10 Effective researchers
use research to inform the process of library planning and evaluation with the ability to read,
evaluate and apply the results of appropriate published research
design and implement appropriate assessment strategies
use effective research skills in the application of theory into professional practice.
Narrative explaining how activities completed as part of your Master’s degree program have helped prepare you to meet this goal.
List of Evidence: (suggestions)
Research report evaluations, Questionnaire evaluations
Thesis
Practicum project
Part III Appendixes