Time Schedule:
Gary Robinson
IMT 520
Seattle Campus
Concepts, processes, and skills of information involving creation, production, distribution, selection, collection, and services to facilitate access. Analysis of the information mediation process, including determining information needs; searching for, evaluation, and presentation of appropriate results; and modalities for delivery of services.
Class description
The class will cover the skills and competencies necessary for individuals providing information services who will serve as the intermediary between end-users for the creation and delivery of information sources and systems in a business or other organizational-setting. This will include how to identify different user constituencies within an organization, how to provide information rich environments full of resources that address the needs of those users, the development and implementation of services that add value to those resources, and how to respond to change in terms of user needs and evolving technology. To accomplish this, we will cover the concepts, processes, and skills related to the lifecycle of information involving creation, acquisition, production, distribution, selection, collection, and services to facilitate access. This will include an analysis of the information mediation process (the concept of the reference interview): determination and analysis of information needs; searching for, evaluation and presentation of appropriate results; the organization of external and internal resources; effective delivery of results to customers; different modalities for service delivery of services; as well as the overall management of services.
Student learning goals
Understand the Value of Information. The role of information in organizational management and in decision-making.
Information Service Evaluation. How to evaluate an existing program/service with respect to its relevance, adequacy, and impact.
Recognize information Context. Understand the information flow in various organization settings.
Develop Information Perspective. Understand the information lifecycle, the relationship between people, information, and technology; and the concept of information stewardship and the service organization.
Analyze and Design Information Systems and Services. Develop an appreciation for the use and practice of user-centered design and strategic design to develop successful services and systems.
Principals of Management. The role of information in organizational management and in decision-making, including quality management for information systems, as well as the principals of negotiation and consensus building. Innovation and Leadership. How to collect user feedback and use this input (as well as other sources) to conduct strategic planning in information projects for continuous improvement.
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
