The AIfIA Education Curriculum Initiative will create a framework which instructors will use to create information architecture programs, courses, and syllabi for courses. The framework will include a sampling of courses, program configurations, and syllabi. Over time the curriculum might be complemented by case studies, interviews with instructors, and/or anecdotal quotes regarding the effectiveness of various pedagogical approaches.
By developing a framework and not a how-to manual, instructors will receive guidance on creating programs and courses without having to subscribe to a particular philosophy of education or selection of topics.
One of the most effective ways to effect change in the long term is through education. The curriculum will increase the visibility and quality of IA education by establishing a standard educational core of information architecture concepts and skills.
AIfIA is the right sponsor for this initiative because, given the immature state of IA education, our group of experienced practitioners stand the best chance to craft an effective curriculum and popularize it. Several IA teachers and students occupy seats on the board of directors, the leadership council, and will be part of the curriculum initiative team.
Currently we will focus on offerings from colleges and universities from any country. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of IA, we will look at varying departments such as business, information technology, library and information science, human-computer interaction, design, and computer science. Only courses and programs titled "information architecture" will be considered at this time.
Work is divided into phases, each phase cumulating in a release of the framework. Each phase is broken out into three stages that divide the activities by planning, design, and implementation. The activities in each stage are broken down into finite tasks that can be performed by one volunteer.
The initial set of work:
Victor Lombardi
Karl Fast
Derek Featherstone
Todd Wilkens
Peter J. Bogaards
Christine Freeman
James Spahr
Candy Schwartz
Thomas J. Froehlich
Scott Robinson
Peter Van Dijck
Donna Maurer
Debbie James
Noreen Whysel
Peter Morville
Andrew Dillon
Maribeth Sullivan