[Publib] LIS classes; ALA

[clarion08 at bellsouth.net]

I have two questions.
1.  Even within our program, different teachers approach classes differently.  This is a duh.  One of my classes was incredible, we did a lot on the discussion board, rather like the Socratic method, only with a class of 25.  Another student (these were Intro. to Library Science classes) did, among other things, web pages, we didn't  With all the programs out there, is there really a best?  I want to not miss anything, do all programs even themselves out -- I don't mean to compare the Information Science programs with Library Science, just the basics of Library Science. (I hope I've at least sort of made the question clear here).
The second is about ALA.  I've joined because I want to get more involved with librarianship.  I can't attend conferences.  I've looked through the ALA web site, but I don't really see how to get involved without going to the conferences.
Thanks,
Janet Webb Reference Assistant Rome-Floyd County Library GA
and MSLS student Clarion University of Pennsylvania