Dear Jane Falconer et al.,
We've done ug and pg information skills self-assessment via fairly sophisticated confidence logs and very simple questionnaires at Strathclyde. This self-assessment approach came about because we were assessing fairly advanced levels of skills in 3rd and 4th year students and postgraduate researchers. These students rejected mechanical quiz assessments because they thought they were too simplistic and naive.
(See the courseware chapter in:
http://gaels.lib.gla.ac.uk/gaelsprojectreport.pdf)
On the other hand if you're introducing assessment because of external requirements, rather than facilitating self-assessment, a more mechanical marking approach is likely to be demanded. What the students value for self assessment is less important than what the external body requires.
There's a number of case studies published on this topic in the journal 'Reference Services Review' I believe - courseware-based MCQ assessment in particular.
Nick
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Nicholas Joint
Andersonian Library
University of Strathclyde
101 St James Road
Glasgow, UK. G4 0NS.
0141-548-4640 [log in to unmask]
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-----Original Message-----
From: Margaret Greville [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 03 September 2002 21:31
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Assessment of undergraduate information skills
Hi there
I'd certainly be interested in any tips that you feel able to flick down to NZ!
Many thanks
MG
**************************************
Margaret Greville Ph +64 3 364 2987
ext. 8776
Law Librarian Fax +64 3 364 2483
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch, New Zealand
[log in to unmask]
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-----Original Message-----
From: Falconer, Jane [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, 4 September 2002 04:00 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Assessment of undergraduate information skills
[apologies for cross-posting]
Dear all,
Here at the Royal Free & University College Medical School of UCL we have
been running a successful integrated information skills course for our first
and second year students for the past couple of years. As well as the usual
induction tour, this includes information on forming a successful search
strategy, an introduction to electronic information sources (Medline,
Embase, OMNI, WoS) and an introduction to Evidence-based sources (Cochrane
etc).
Previously we asked students to complete a worksheet and feedback form.
This was not formally marked although it was compulsory for students to hand
in a completed sheet. This year we have been asked to include a formal
element of assessment (either formative or summative or both). This has to
be in a form easily provided and marked by computer, so MCQs or True/False
questions mainly. Has anyone else had experience of assessing their info
skills training? Can you give me some ideas of the sorts of questions you
asked your students? Any other advice would be gratefully received.
I shall collect answers for the list if there is enough interest to merit
it.
Best wishes,
Jane
--
Jane Falconer
Information Skills Trainer
Medical Library
Royal Free Hospital
Rowland Hill Street, Hampstead, London. NW3 2PF
Tel: 020 7794 0500 ext 3201
Fax: 020 7794 3534
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