Leveraging Methodology and Collaboration to Assess and Improve Students' Information Literacy Skills

• In Event: 29.071 - Methodological and Analytical Approaches to Strengthening Learning Outcomes Assessment Measures

Abstract

This paper addresses both methodology and collaborative process as necessary components for effecting change in student learning. It is an example of an institutional-level learning improvement in students’ information literacy skills resulting from an innovative collaboration between an assessment office and university librarians supporting a first-year experience. The power of the collaboration revealed itself iteratively each year as the team worked together to “close the loop” by implementing changes not only to the programs based upon the assessment data, but also through the systematic improvement of the assessment instrument. The study reveals that the contribution of each stakeholder was not limited to the assessment design and implementation process; the collaboration played a key role in making meaning of the results.

Authors

• Maria Stack, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Kathryne Drezek McConnell, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University