iStudent Blog: Online Learning
Consider a Dynamic Career in Informatics
Published: May 10, 2022 by Hilary Meehan
The SJSU iSchool offers three fully online, master’s-level degree options: the MLIS program, the MARA program and the MS in Informatics. Today, we will explore the cutting edge field of informatics and the exciting career opportunities it offers for iSchool students.
Eyes on the Prize: Charting Your Course Through School
Published: January 11, 2022 by Leslie Parry
The flexibility and efficiency of online education is what drew many of us to the San José State University School of Information in the first place. We have the ability to learn at our own pace, integrate our coursework into busy schedules, and choose from a multitude of superb classes. This autonomy, of course, also requires a certain amount of proactiveness and strategic thinking. That’s why planning ahead for a successful academic experience is so critical. Whether it’s choosing the right classes or preparing for graduation, the iSchool has dozens of resources to help you get organized and stay informed. I talked to Sheila Gurtu, student outreach specialist, as well as to recent graduates about everything from time management to e-Port prep. Here are some ideas to help you flourish.
The SJSU Writing Center: An iSchool Student’s Secret Weapon
Published: September 2, 2021 by Leslie Parry
Fall semester is finally here! Whether you’re just beginning INFO 200, preparing your e-Portfolio, or simply trying to recover your student brain after summer vacation, you’ll likely be tackling some major assignments in the coming months (or – gulp – weeks). Need help with a research paper? Want a refresher on citations or abstracts? Can’t be sure whether to use “who” or “whom”? The San José State University Writing Center offers a host of excellent free services – and a number are designed specifically for graduate students. From tutoring to live-chat sessions, how-to videos and handouts, the Writing Center can help you navigate the complexities of academic writing (or just master the nuts and bolts). Writing skills will be an asset in school and beyond, so there’s never a wrong time to reach out. I spoke with Michelle Hager, Director of the SJSU Writing Center, about the most useful resources for School of Information students.
Get a Jump-Start With Summer Opportunities
Published: May 26, 2021 by Leslie Parry
The end of the semester is here! For months we’ve been rearranging our lives and work around the pandemic, keeping up with our studies, and waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel. Now it’s time to take a break and celebrate! For those who are looking to keep up momentum during the summer, there are plenty of ways to stay engaged. From summer classes to networking opportunities to simply getting organized, here are ideas for enhancing your iSchool experience over summer break.
Tips for Staying Focused and Managing Your Time
Published: February 28, 2021 by Leslie Parry
While many of us may be finding it difficult to concentrate during this unprecedented time, graduate school remains a positive outlet for our intellectual and creative energies. The School of Information offers so many opportunities to apply our talents, strengthen our resolve and plan for a better future. So how do we put one foot in front of the other and keep distraction and procrastination at bay? Below are some resources, from academic assistance to online learning tools, that can help students stay disciplined and continue to flourish in a remote environment.
Making the Most of the King Library Resources
Published: January 29, 2021 by Leslie Parry
Whether you’re just beginning INFO 203 or conducting intensive research for a seminar, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library at San José State University has the resources to help you succeed. It’s true that in an online program you may never get a chance to walk through the library doors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of everything it offers. From one-on-one research support to specialized subject guides, students at the School of Information have access to a breadth of tools and services that are designed to support virtual learning. I spoke with Gareth Scott, library liaison, about the King Library resources he recommends most for iSchool students.
The e-Portfolio: Myths and Truths
Published: May 31, 2020 by Havilah Joy-Steinman Bakken
The e-Portfolio is a capstone experience the majority of iSchool students at San José State University will plan for, experience and benefit from. This large, scholastic decathlon represents not only your upcoming freedom from school, but also your newly garnered skills and brilliance in the library and information profession field. Each student has their own unique perspective and experience working through it, but the majority of us experience at least some amount of anxiety while it looms ahead of us. I had the opportunity to complete the e-Portfolio amidst the craziness of life, and I hope what I discovered from my own personal experience, and chatting with my fellow students, is helpful to you!
Plan for Your e-Portfolio with the iSchool’s Advising Pages and Student Success Planner
Published: January 4, 2017 by Allison Randall Gatt
Whether you’ve just started your course work at San José State University’s iSchool or you’re rounding the corner toward your final semester, you should be planning for your e-Portfolio.
A Day in the Life of Student Allison Randall Gatt
Published: November 4, 2015 by Allison Randall Gatt
Ever wonder how other students manage to work a job, feed a family, walk a dog, answer discussion questions, manage to have clean clothes to wear (ahem, most days), put together a PowerPoint presentation and stay sane? We do stay sane, don’t we? Sure we do, but we all have different lives and different ways of staying organized and getting our coursework done.