Diane Kovacs <diane@kovacs.com> is the primary instructor for this course.

Course Description: This is a hands-on Web-based course, in which participants will learn how to efficiently search for, identify, and evaluate CAM information on the Web. We will begin by defining "alternative" & "complementary". How do we know what is "Good" information about alternative medical traditions or complementary medicine practices? How will you avoid and teach others to be critical about fraudulent or exploitative information?

Educational Objective: Participants will learn about and use information resources that clarify and explain different CAM Traditions. Web sites that provide warnings of dangerous practices, side effects, or complications are emphasized. We will concentrate on identifying CAM information published on the Web by credible sources - that is research supported or otherwise critically reviewed by knowledgeable and qualified medical researchers or practitioners.

Agenda: http://www.kovacs.com/mlacealt.html

Need for This Course: This course is intende for librarians and other information specialists who work with healthcare consumers and/or healthcare professionals who need to find high quality information about alternative and complementary medicine on the Web. Some experience with health and medical information searching on the Web is assumed. Level of instruction is beginners-intermediate.

The instructional methods used include Lecture, Discussion, and Hands-on Exercises.

Participant Materials: Web-based Moodle hosted lectures, forums, learning activities. PDF printable versions of lectures and learning activities. The course itself is online at http://kovacs.com/moodle/course/view.php?id=13. A basic overview syllabus is also online at http://www.kovacs.com/mlacealt.html.

Facility Requirements: Students must have Internet connected computer with current Web browser, and email.

Additional Evaluation: I will use MLA's standard evaluation forms.