Pre-Conference Workshop

A Future by Design: What Do We Teach?
Facilitators: Eileen G. Abels (Simmons), Lynne C. Howarth (Toronto), Laura Saunders (Simmons), and Linda C. Smith (Illinois) 
Tuesday, February 6, 9:00am - 12:00pm

ALISE '18 will explore The Expanding LIS Education Universe, recognizing the growing number of career opportunities in the information professions. Responding to the conference organizers' call to explore the future of LIS education and pedagogical research, this interactive workshop will draw from initiatives that emerged from discussions at a January 2015 Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)-funded National Planning Forum to set a framework for re-visioning LIS education. The grant explored the future of LIS education by looking at four key questions: What will we teach? Who will we teach? Who will teach? How will we teach? ALISE conference workshops in 2016 and 2017  focused on "how we teach." This workshop will delve into "what we teach" with an emphasis on knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs). Survey data on KSAs considered essential for LIS program graduates will be shared with participants who will then engage in small groups to articulate what a core curriculum designed around KSAs might include. A final plenary discussion will summarize group proposals and consider "Who will teach" a re-visioned core curriculum. This exploration of "what we teach" and "who will teach" is intended to stimulate innovation in LIS education, a future by design, not by default.