Library Value in the Classroom: Assessing Student Learning Outcomes from Instruction and Collections

What is the value of library services and resources in the college classroom? How do library instruction and collections contribute to academic teaching and learning outcomes? A chemistry instructor, instruction librarian, and technical services librarian collaborated to answer these questions by combining chemistry education and information literacy pedagogy to assess student learning. The authors developed curriculum units that teach information literacy skills and scientific literature research in a General Chemistry Laboratory course for Honors students. Their study extends beyond examining library instruction and collections assessment in isolation. Rather, their research protocol intends to contribute to student learning outcomes assessment research. The authors propose that an embedded, mixed-methodology, and longitudinal approach can be used to collect data and assess outcomes in terms that describe and measure the value of library services and resources.     

Designing and Implementing an Information Literacy Instruction Outcomes Assessment Program

As information literacy instruction outcomes assessment in academic libraries continues to increase as a key indicator of pedagogical value both within libraries and throughout their parent institutions, the call for the design and implementation of such assessment continues to rise as well. Ideally, this process is supported with adequate time, funding, and personnel. The reality, however, is not always so accommodating. This case study relates the Brooklyn Campus Library of Long Island University's experience with developing a start-from-scratch outcomes assessment of information literacy instruction in its undergraduate core curriculum.     

Students perceptions on the long-range value of information literacy instruction through a learning community

Whereas academic library participation in learning communities has become visible in recent years, the literature is still lacking research studies providing assessment data. This article offers the first perspective from students on the value of information literacy instruction through a learning community and the impact that instruction has on academic careers. A qualitative research method of focus group interviews was employed to solicit opinions from students who completed during a three-year period the University of Hawaii at Manoa's (UHM) Libraries, Scholarship, and Technology (LIS 100) learning community course. The findings indicate learning communities provide a valuable context for learning both affective and cognitive information literacy skills necessary in an undergraduate education.     

How Does a Pre-Assessment of Off-Campus Students’ Information Literacy Affect the Effectiveness of Library Instruction?

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the impact that pre-tests have on the effectiveness of library instruction when students are given feedback on their pre-test performance. Librarians and academic faculty partnered to measure library instruction outcomes in two Master's degree classes. The Research Readiness Self-Assessment (RRSA) was used as a pre-test (before instruction) and a post-test (after instruction) in Class 1 and as a post-test only in Class 2. Students who completed both tests performed significantly better on a post-test, earning higher scores on obtaining information and overall information literacy. They reported greater library/research experience and less reliance on browsing. Compared to students who did not take a pre-test, students who received pre-test-based feedback had higher scores on library/research experience and lower scores on reliance on browsing. To enhance the effectiveness of library instruction, students can be given pre-test-based feedback that compares their actual and perceived literacy and encourages the use of library databases.     

Research consultations in the academic library: A scoping review on current themes in instruction,assessment and technology

This scoping review highlights the characteristics, assessments and technologies used to describe, improve and promote one-to-one research consultations as a mode of research support and instruction in academic libraries. A search for relevant studies was conducted using LISTA, LISA, ERIC, Scopus and Web of Science, limiting to empirical evidence or studies outlining the use of technology within library practice, published from 2013 to current, in the English language. Supplemental search methods included a grey literature search, handsearching, and cited reference searching. From 2268 records, 43 studies were identified for inclusion. Of these, 17 studies described using consultations in the delivery of information literacy instruction, 33 evaluation studies reported on student, faculty, and librarian outcomes, and 15 articles discussed the use of technology. Users reported an overwhelming positive experience while mixed learning outcomes were seen in performance assessment studies. The assessment methods and uses of technology outlined in this review can be used by librarians to inform service delivery and provide evidence of the value and impact of research consultations on the academic mission of the library and its institution.     

Supporting Student Success in the First-Year Experience: Library Instruction in the Learning Management System

This article discusses how the Library and Office of Institutional Research at a public college measured the relationship of an online information literacy module in the learning management system with student success metrics in a first-year experience course. Specifically, the authors examine the relationships of an online instruction module, online module completion status, library use sessions, and student success metrics, such as semester grade point average (GPA), one-year retention, and academic standing. The results suggest that students who participated in the online information literacy module had better student outcomes than those that did not participate in the module. Research assignment grade and library use sessions are found as significant predictors of student semester GPA and one-year retention, controlling for high school GPA, student characteristics, and utilization of student support services. Practice implications are discussed.     

Instruction Coordinators and Higher Education Accreditation: A Study of Awareness and Assessment Documentation Use

This study gauges instruction and information literacy coordinators' awareness of higher education accreditation processes at their institutions and provides a picture of how coordinators use assessment documentation produced by units external to the library. The study took the form of a survey sent to a random sample of instruction coordinators and information literacy librarians stratified by regional accrediting body. Results showed that instruction coordinators generally are aware of accreditation processes but that only about half use documentation relating to student learning assessment, which may include written student learning outcomes at the institution, program, or course level, plans for assessing learning outcomes, and reports on assessment activities and results, to further their information literacy goals. Accreditation awareness is influenced by time in position, time in the profession, and, to some extent, regional accreditor. Use of and considered importance of assessment documentation is influenced by size of institution, regional accreditor, and, to some extent, time in position. Suggestions for increasing awareness and use of documentation include introducing the accreditation process to new librarians in library school, encouraging contribution of experiences with assessment documentation to the literature and regional conferences, and advocating for instruction coordinators to serve on campus assessment committees.     

Instructional Outreach Across the Curriculum

Abstract

Over the past decade, there has been a steady rise in interest among academic librarians in the idea of outreach. Outreach from the academic library can take many forms, but it is often built around a commitment to instruction. At Washington State University, a commitment to information literacy instruction across the curriculum and an organizational structure that includes both an independent Library Instruction department and a network of subject specialists has facilitated the rise of a programmatic approach to instructional outreach that allows librarians and faculty to work together to develop creative approaches to the integration of information literacy instruction across the academic curriculum. This article identifies some of the characteristics of new models for instructional outreach in the academic library and describes two instructional outreach programs at Washington State.     

Using Assessment Results to Reinforce Campus Partnerships

In response to calls for accountability, academic libraries have increased their assessment efforts. Although the University Library at Colorado State University–Pueblo has been engaged in student learning outcome assessment for several years, it has recently expanded its system of evaluation to share the results of information literacy assessments with teaching faculty. This was done in an effort to demonstrate the value of library instruction to the faculty of a small, regional campus. Several benefits have been realized as a result of this move, including stronger partnerships with course instructors and other departments engaged in academic support.     

Mapping curriculum learning outcomes to ACRL's Framework threshold concepts: A syllabus study

The aim of this study was to align information literacy instruction with curriculum learning outcomes as defined by teaching faculty in their syllabi. Using a syllabus study, a cross-disciplinary collection of 180 course syllabi were reviewed for learning outcomes, assignments with research components, and references to library resources and services. Key faculty-defined learning outcomes were mapped to the Association for College and Research Libraries Information Literacy Framework for Higher Education threshold concepts. Based on learning theory, introducing information literacy concepts is most effective when done at the time of need, guaranteeing that students utilize the skills immediately, and are more likely to retain the knowledge and skills learned. The author proposes a tiered approach to information literacy instruction, with novice skills introduced in lower-level courses and expert skills for upper-level and graduate courses to meet learning outcomes. Suggestions of how each of the threshold concepts can be applied to develop instructional activities to achieve learning outcomes are presented.     

我校本科生信息素质状况评价

图书馆的信息素质教育是传统用户教育在信息社会下的提升与发展。对当代大学生的信息素质进行评价是信息素质教育过程中的重要环节。文章利用指标评价的方法进行问卷调查和研究。     

A Review of: “HMO/PPO Directory. Mackenzie,Leslie”

This column describes a collaboration between faculty members in an Allied Health program and academic librarians to provide information literacy instruction to students enrolled in an evidence-based practice course. The process of collaboration is described beginning with the inception of the idea to collaborate, which grew out of an informal conversation between librarians and Allied Health faculty. Implementation of the project is described as well as future plans for the collaboration. The column also discusses initial impressions of student outcomes as well as plans for a more rigorous study of those outcomes.     

美国高校图书馆信息素养教育实施案例研究——以美国奥特本大学(Otterbein University)图书馆为例

文章以美国奥特本大学(Otterbein University)图书馆的信息素养教育为例,结合在美国访问时获得的相关资料,介绍了包括信息素养教育合作模式、课程内容、授课方法、新技术应用等在内的美国高校图书馆信息素养教育实施模式,并总结了美国高校图书馆信息素养教育特点及对中国同行的启示。     

Using Practitioner-engaged Evidence Synthesis to Teach Research and Information Literacy Skills: A Model and Case Study

Service learning connects learning in the classroom to real-world experience and presents opportunities for deeper library engagement in the curriculum and the teaching of critical information literacy. We present a model for teaching research and information literacy skills in the service learning context, making use of the evidence-based practice paradigm and engagement with community partners and practitioners in the field, connecting academic research to real-world practice and problem-solving. This model addresses some of the challenges of ACRL's Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education and is adaptable to various disciplines and educational environments.     

Motivating African-American Students Through Information Literacy Instruction: Exploring the Link Between Encouragement and Academic Self-Concept

This article argues that information literacy instruction has a unique role to play in increasing academic motivation among African-American college students. Drawing on recent work in student motivation, this article argues that perception of faculty encouragement is the single most important predictor of African-American college students' academic self-concept, trumping both academic performance (e.g., grades) and school environment (i.e., historically Black colleges or universities vs. predominantly White colleges or universities). Given this link between encouragement and academic self-concept, information literacy instruction becomes an arena in which librarians may support the development of students' self-concept, thus increasing motivation. This article discusses the role of encouragement in information literacy instruction and suggests how to achieve greater perception of encouragement both during and after instruction. Lastly, this article considers ramifications for instructional services programs at historically Black colleges or universities by reviewing recent experiences at Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, North Carolina.     

英国高校信息素养教育进展

通过对英国主要信息素养组织机构、学术活动、标准框架的演进以及英国高校信息素养教育发展现状的调研,可以看出分阶段的信息素养教育、结合专业的信息技能培养、开展在线课程以及多元化的信息服务是目前培养学生信息技能乃至终身学习能力的重要走向。     

How It's Done: Examining Distance Education Library Instruction and Assessment

ABSTRACT

While articles on individual studies, surveys, and programs abound, there is a lack of baseline data regarding what and how libraries provide instruction for their distant populations. Do libraries generally provide information literacy or library instruction to students at a distance? How is instruction usually provided? Is instruction generally assessed? If so, how is instruction assessed? These questions were asked of librarians in an online survey of 143 institutions offering distance programs, randomly sampled from the College Blue Book. With a 55% response rate, data about instruction offerings and assessment were correlated with information about library staff size, budget, and student enrollment. The expectation was that larger libraries with more money and students would provide more and better services, but interestingly these factors had far less influence than anticipated. It seems that the individual efforts of librarians were the major determinants for services offered by libraries at institutions with distant students.     

Instructional design with the ICE approach in academic libraries: A framework that integrates assessing,learning, and teaching

One-shot instruction in academic libraries is a librarian-controlled bibliographic instruction that responds to the point of information need for subject-related courses. The assessment of teaching effectiveness tends to take a summative approach, which provides an answer to what students learned but does not address how they learned. This column theoretically explores the framework of Ideas-Connections-Extensions (ICE) in library instruction and the classroom setting, which demonstrates learning outcomes and explores the learning journey, and integrates assessment, learning, and teaching through collaborative efforts by academic librarians and classroom faculty.     

Assessing instructional outcomes in Canadian academic libraries

This article reports on a three-year study of information literacy instruction in Canadian academic libraries, focusing on the outcomes of instruction in terms of tests of information literacy skills and interviews with students that explored their experiences of information literacy instruction. Particular emphasis is given to investigating instructional effectiveness and assessing learning outcomes with respect to identifying those institutional and pedagogical factors that promote successful outcomes. Outcomes of instruction include positive cognitive, behavioral, and affective results. Further discussion explores how instruction contributed to students' overall educational success and which factors characterize “success” in achieving those outcomes from the viewpoints of instructional librarians and from the perspectives of clients (i.e., students). These data provide a basis on which to advance instruction toward identifiable, positive outcomes for students in postsecondary institutions. An emphasis on such outcomes is essential if librarians are to justify devoting institutional resources to instructional activities.