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Library Instruction Operations & Procedures Manual: 3. Assessing success

A collection of procedures and policies for Alkek Staff who teach instruction sessions.

Assessment

An assessment is based on measurable student learning outcomes. For evaluations of librarian effectiveness or student attitudes please refer to the Faculty & Student Evaluations page.

English 1320 Library Session Assessment Outcomes & Procedure

English 1320 outcomes are dictated by the English Department, as Information Literacy is a SACS Assessment Outcome for them. This formal integration means that ENG 1320 classes should all use the same assessment model.

  • Outcome 1: The student will be able to construct an effective keyword search on an appropriate topic in a general library database or library catalog. References Information Literacy frame: Searching as Strategic Exploration.
  • Outcome 2: The student will be able to identify credible sources, with an emphasis on scholarly/peer-reviewed journal articles. References Information Literacy frame: Authority Is Constructed and Contextual.
  •  Outcome 3: The student will be able to use citation management tools to build works cited lists in MLA format. References Information Literacy frame: Information has Value.

Assessment Procedure:

  1. The assessment activity must be given to ALL English 1320 sections who request instruction.
  2. Megan Ballengee will provide the updated assessment information to all ENG1320 instructors.
  3. If the faculty member would like a copy of their scores, send that to them in a timely manner.

US1100 Assessment Outcomes

  • Students will be able to locate and search the Library catalog in order to find and locate books and other resources.
  • Students will know how to locate and use a database in order to search for journal, magazine, and newspaper articles.
  • Students will know the different ways to contact a librarian in order to get research help.

 

Paws Preview Assessment

Paws Preview Learning Outcomes are as follows:

  • Students will understand that Wikipedia and other internet resources are generally not appropriate for college-level research
  • Students will recognize that the Library is a source for information resources selected by librarians and faculty that are appropriate for college-level research
  • Know that Librarians offer friendly expert research help and that there are various convenient methods to reach a librarian.

Assessment Procedures:

  1. Coordinator or delegate will create polls in polleverywhere.com for Paws Preview, before the event.
  2. Each session or group has their own poll.
  3. Polls are grouped by semester and question.
  4. Export polls to PowerPoint slide, grouping by day.
  5. Slides are loaded onto the computer before the session.
  6. Open slide and display on screen for students to use poll.
  7. After the event is over, polls may be "graded" using the PowerPoint files, or else using the built in functions in polleverywhere.com.
  8. Export all grouped polls into one large PowerPoint file--resize polls on slides and print as .pdf.
  9. Store .pdfs in shared drive with other assessment results.

Upper-Level Assessments

Instruction Librarians must perform at least TWO assessments for an upper-level division class of their choice, per long semester, in whatever assessment method is most appropriate for the class.

  1. Choose upper level class to assess.
  2. Locate any relevant discipline-specific IL standards and create outcomes based on standards that meet the professor's desired class goals. Outcomes should be measurable.
  3. Choose a method of assessment.
  4. Create assessment questions/format/rubric based on outcomes.  
  5. Create lesson plan.
  6. Teach and assess class.
  7. Collect assessment results and tabulate.
  8. The target result is an 80% class average for all upper-level assessments.
  9. Document the assessment using the form below, and submit (upload) to the proper folder in the Assessments & Results folder on the Shared drive by the end of the month your class was taught.
  10. If you are using Clickers in 101, export your results to an excel file, label it with the class name and professor name, and save it in the shared drive in the correct semester folder.
  11. If you are using paper copies,  you might consider storing your copies either in paper or perhaps scanning them into a file.
  12. Beginning in FY16: All upper Level Assessments will be AVERAGED to tally the overall score for upper level assessments.

Assessment Reporting & Deadlines

The Head of RIO and Learning Commons Librarian produce comprehensive reports on assessment efforts periodically during the year, as well as reports as needed when requested by Director of RLS or AVPUL.  The approximate timeline is listed below:

  • Fall Semester Summary Report (December/January)
  • Spring Semester Summary Report (May/early June)
  • Administrative Outcomes Summary Report (In or near July)
  • Yearly Comprehensive Report (at end of Academic Year)

Therefore, to ensure timely reporting of assessment efforts, all assessment documentation must be filed in the server or otherwise reported to the IL Coordinator by these dates:

Fall Semester:

January 31

Spring Semester:

May 31

Summer Semester:

August 31