lii.org: Indexing the Internet 101 (distance learning course)

lii.org: Indexing the Internet 101 (distance learning course)

Are you ready to start indexing the Internet? This distance learning course is an introduction to indexing Internet resources using techniques and guidelines developed for lii.org, the Librarians' Internet Index. The Librarians' Internet Index is a browsable, searchable guide to Internet resources, composed of entries submitted by skilled library staff from all over California.

This is a great class for anyone who wants to become an lii.org indexer or who is looking for a hands-on opportunity to learn about identifying, selecting, evaluating, and describing Internet resources.

Workshop Description: This seven-part workshop will be taught via distance education using the Web. It consists of seven one-and-a-half to two-hour modules. You can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night. You have up to ten weeks to complete this course.

If you complete the seven-part class, you will be eligible to become an lii.org indexer (though becoming an indexer is not a requirement). You will be doing guided exercises in the Infopeople Blackboard courseware and in a special lii.org training database. During the course of the class, you will seek, identify, select, evaluate, and describe several Internet records.

During the course you will be completing online exercises and taking quizzes. You will also participate in online discussion forums as part of the distance learning process.

Indexing the Internet is an instructor-led course. The instructor will be available to interact with individual participants, review and comment on assignments, and monitor the discussion board.

When you register, you will receive the URL to get to the course and a username and password in your registration confirmation.

In 2002, we will offer this online class three times:

• June 1 (ends August 1)
• September 1 (ends November 1)
• November 1 (ends January 1)

Due to the extensive personalized instruction, enrollment is limited to fifteen students per class.

Highlights: Using your Web browser and your Internet connection you will login to the Infopeople Blackboard site and to a special lii.org training base and learn practical techniques in the following areas:

Section One: The Joy of Indexing

This section addresses the background and history of lii.org, selection criteria, indexer maintenance responsibilities, and basic lii.org help. You will log in to the training database for the first time.

Section Two: The Hunt is On: Finding Internet Resources

This section will introduce you to some key resources for learning about new Internet resources. It includes a hands-on exercise for evaluating resources.

Section Three: Serious Wrench-Turning: Creating lii.org Records

This section focuses on the actual mechanics of creating records in the lii.org training database. You will create three draft records.

Section Four: The Art of Description, The Ethics of Copyright

You don't have to be a great writer to write a great lii.org record. This section introduces you to our style manual, provides writing tips, and discusses our editorial process. This section also includes readings and a hands-on exercise about copyright.

Section Five: You Want Me To Put It Where? Or, Assigning Subject Headings

This sections offers tips for selecting good subject headings--and explains why we don't require indexers to do this. You will identify and assign subject headings to your draft records.

Section Six: Lost In Space: Maintaining lii.org Records

This section will introduce you to the concepts and competencies associated with life-cycle maintenance of lii.org records.

Section Seven: Passages

In this section you will take a quiz (and re-take it if you like), then do some final readings.

If it's right for you and for us, you will "graduate" to being an lii.org indexer and will be authorized to create records in the lii.org database.

Who Should Attend: Library staff with a strong interest in organizing Internet resources.

Note: Infopeople's grant funding restricts participation in distance education courses to individuals currently working in California libraries.

Prerequisites: This course is taught over the Web. You must:

• have an Internet connection and either Internet Explorer (preferably IE 5 or higher) or Netscape (version 4 or higher - NOT 6).
• be able to view and print a file with the Adobe Acrobat reader
• be comfortable navigating on the Web and going back and forward in a Web site that uses frames.
• be able to commit to online instruction for at least two hours per week for seven out of ten weeks

If you are not comfortable with any of the above, please consider taking this course with a buddy who does meet these requirements.

Please note: There is no fee for this course. (If you ended up indexing for us at lii.org, we'd feel ashamed if we charged you...)