Scotland! Join us on an exciting and enlightening trip to Scotland with its lively cities, picturesque small towns, and a wide variety of rural settings from seashores to mountains.    Using the capital city of Edinburgh as a base you’ll visit a range of libraries and schools using technology, spend a week in one school, and immerse yourself in another culture.

Through readings, discussions and first-hand observations you’ll:

• Gain an international perspective on education, school libraries, and technology
• Expand your knowledge of building and district-level library and technology policies
• Look at the links between school and public libraries
• Examine the relationship of technology and school libraries
• Examine common issues and reflect on your own practice, and
• Earn six graduate credits toward licensure renewal

This travel study graduate course (LIBMEDIA 691) is designed for certified school library media specialists and teachers interested in expanding their knowledge through international travel and first-hand experiences in another school setting. Pre-trip preparations will help you learn about the country and its education system so you can more fully appreciate what you see in your observations and hands-on experiences in the schools.  Readings, discussions and projects will help you tie your experiences back to your own worklife.

The course includes

• One pre-trip spring seminar on the UW-Whitewater campus on April 19 (online opportunities for those more than 200 miles from Whitewater)
• Continuing online discussion and readings from March through July
• Two weeks in Scotland in schools and libraries (June 13-28, 2008)

Why visit schools in Scotland?

• Observe for an extended period in another school setting and visit a range of other educational sites
• Investigate schools’ strengths in literature, information skills and technology
• Experience a different culture firsthand
• Explore the history, culture and education of another country
• Attend seminars and talk online to share ideas, compare speakers
• Travel on your own while you are there
• Earn six graduate credits
• Get excited about teaching

Schedule

Before the trip you’ll do some background reading and talk online and in person with the course instructors and classmates about international travel, Scottish education and libraries, and the history and politics of the country.  In mid-June you’ll travel to Edinburgh for two weeks of school visits and travel.  Weekends are open for your own exploration of the country, made easy by a good public transportation system.  We’ll provide lots of ideas for destinations easily reachable in a weekend.  Travel home is on your own to allow for extended travel plans as you wish.  During July you’ll have time to think about your experiences and then share your thoughts with others through online discussions and a final project.

Top

Instructors

Both course instructors from UW-Whitewater have traveled frequently in Scotland and have visited numerous school libraries there.

Top

Costs

Estimated price of $3300 includes: Six graduate credits Educational seminars UW System emergency insurance coverage Room and breakfast from June 13 through 28

Estimate of other costs: Passport Renewal fee: $67 plus photos OR Getting first passport: $97 plus photos Required background check: up to $60 ($39 fee plus fingerprinting cost) Transportation Airfare from city closest to you: $900-$1300 Airport public transportation in Edinburgh: $12 Public in-city and between-city transportation: $120-240 depending on location of school Weekend travel and admissions: varies Other Daily Meals (breakfast provided) $35-60

Top

For More Information

Course syllabus (requirements of the course and a more detailed timetable)

Top

Last updated: November 23, 2007
Eileen E. Schroeder, Anne Zarinnia, Educational Foundations
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater