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Information literacy assessment applies to a number of contexts in the higher education arena: institutional curricula, information literacy programs, information literacy courses, course-integrated information literacy instruction, and stand-alone information literacy workshops and online tutorials. This practical guide provides an overview of the assessment process: planning; selection and development of tools; and analysis and reporting of data. An assessment-decision chart helps readers match appropriate assessment tools and strategies with learning outcomes and instructional settings. Assessment tools, organized by type, are accompanied by case studies. Various information literacy standards are referenced, with emphasis given to ACRL's Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education.
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A P R AC T I C A L G U I D E TO I N F O R M AT I O N L I T E R AC Y A S S E S S M E N T F O R AC A D E M I C LIBRARIANS A P R AC T I C A L G U I D E TO I N F O R M AT I O N L I T E R AC Y ASSESSMENT FOR AC A D E M I C LIBRARIANS Carolyn J. Radcliff, Mary Lee Jensen, Joseph A. Salem, Jr., Kenneth J. Burhanna, and Julie A. Gedeon Westport, Connecticut • London Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A practical guide to information literacy assessment for academic librarians / by Carolyn J. Radcliff . . . [et al.]. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978–1–59158–340–0 (alk. paper) 1. Information literacy—Study and teaching (Higher)—Evaluation. 2. Information literacy—Ability testing. 3. Library orientation for college students—Evaluation. 4. Academic libraries—Relations with faculty and curriculum. I. Radcliff, Carolyn J., 1961– ZA3075.P73 2007 028.7 071'1—dc22 2007009261 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright © 2007 by Libraries Unlimited All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2007009261 ISBN: 978–1–59158–340–0 First published in 2007 Libraries Unlimited, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 A Member of the Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. www.lu.com Printed in the United States of America The paper used in this book complies with the Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984). 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 To: Taryn, Virginia, Doug, Jon, Peter, Emily, Rick, and Elaine, with much love. Contents Illustrations Acknowledgments xi xv PART I: GETTING STARTED 1 1. Introduction 3 2. A Brief Look at Assessment Where Does Information Literacy Fit In? Where Do Libraries Fit In? Levels of Assessment Classroom Assessment Programmatic Assessment Institutional Assessment Learning Objectives Works Cited and Further Reading 7 7 8 11 11 12 13 14 18 3. How to Choose the Right Assessment Tool Chapter Organization 19 19 PART II: THE TOOLS 23 4. 25 26 26 27 27 Informal Assessment Techniques An Overview of Informal Assessment Informal Observations Informal Questions Self-Reflection viii CONTENTS Keys to Success with Informal Assessment Tips for Informal Observations Tips for Informal Questioning Tips for Instructor Self-Reflection Using the Data from Informal Assessment Is Informal Assessment Right for You? Works Cited and Further Reading 27 27 28 29 31 31 32 5. Classroom Assessment Techniques An Overview of Classroom Assessment Techniques Preparation Examples of Classroom Assessment Techniques Minute Paper/Muddiest Point One Sentence Summary Defining Features Matrix Directed Paraphrasing Pre-Assessment Using CATs Cl