In this seven-week course you will build on the fundamentals of records and information management by focusing on the challenges facing the profession today as it relates to effectively managing electronic records. The course focuses on the major components in managing the electronic information of an organization and will provide an understanding of what is involved in developing and managing an electronic records management program. Trends affecting the world of electronic information management will also be explored.

The course is designed to be a combination of theoretical concepts supported by practical applications so that students learn the concepts, see how the concepts are applied, and then use them in real-life situations. The instructors are records management practitioners who speak from extensive experience and expertise.

Course Outline:

1. Course Introduction: Based on the previous web course, reviews concepts, definitions and importance of records management in today's knowledge-based society.
   
   
2. Law for Records Managers: Examines the Canadian legislative process and the laws that affect the management of records. The Canadian websites that provide the relevant citations required for retention schedules will be reviewed. Students will be taught search techniques to efficiently search the websites.
   
   
3. Managing Electronic Records: Builds on the concepts learned in the Fundamentals program to understand the infrastructure of laws, policies, standards and practices. Explores systems and people within which electronic records must be managed, the advantages and challenges of different strategies for managing electronic records and the requirements for developing and operating an electronic records program.
   
   
4. Records Management and Enterprise Content Management (ECM) - From Concept to Implementation: This module is broken into two parts. The first part examines how the records management discipline is an important component in the successful implementation of an ECM strategy. The various software modules that fit into the ECM structure will be discussed addressing the benefits and how it all fits together to successfully manage records. Part two addresses the process of selecting software based on business and technical needs and an implementation strategy to successful move electronic records into a well managed repository that controls the life-cycle of the record.
   
   
5. Records Management In a Changing Environment: Examines the trends which are impacting RM such as the skills and competencies which will be required in the next few years, how to assess organizational readiness, identify issues and create solutions where gaps exist. This module will be a research paper where students will work in partners to research one trend provided by the instructor. Students will report back on their findings and recommended solutions.

How the Course Works:

For instructor-led courses such as this one, an email each Sunday afternoon introduces the topic for the week. Assignments are due each Saturday at noon(EST). Material about the topic, pointers to important sites, and assignments are provided at the course website. Students work with the lessons and then submit their assignments for discussion with the instructors and other students. There are also scheduled live-chat sessions. Students receive individual attention from the instructors. Please allow between 3-8 hours each week to comfortably cover the material.

Course Requirements:

Web-based courses are modular in structure and learning builds on the lessons in the previous module. For this reason it is essential that assignments be completed in sequence and no later than one week (Sunday to Saturday) after being assigned. Students may request in advance an extension from their instructor for medical or other valid reasons.

Computer Requirements:

• Computer with Internet connection and a personal email account accessable from any location - home, office, internet cafe. You must also have the ability to join in chat sessions at certain points during the course.
• Windows: Windows: XP or Vista with browsers Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher or Firefox 2.0/3.0.
  Apple: Mac OS 10.3 and higher using Safari 2 or 3 or Firefox 2.0.

The course will appeal to individuals who have an established understanding of records management as well as those looking for a refresher course. This course will have value for people:

• in a junior position currently working with records and looking to augment their knowledge;
• or experienced with records management and seeking to refresh and validate knowledge.

• This course exceeded my expectations in every way...thank you Caroline and Gwen
• I can't believe it was only six weeks...I felt like I learned a semester's worth of useful information