Computers Too? Developing an Information Management Assessment Instrument in an Information Literacy-rich Environment

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Computers Too? Developing an Information
Management Assessment Instrument in an
Information Literacy-rich Environment
GEAR Conference, November 13-14, 2003
Carla Hendrix, Associate Librarian Debra Kimok,
Visiting Assistant Librarian Plattsburgh State
University College of New York
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Topics of Discussion

• Context and Guiding Documents
• Development of the Technology/Computer Literacy
  Assessment
• Information Management Assessment
• Course Development Beyond

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Context and Guiding Documents

• Required course in information literacy LIB101
• SUNY Board of Trustees General Education
  requirements.
• New PSU General Education plan
• Task Force Report on Information and Computer
  Literacy

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Context and Guiding Documents

• SUNY Board of Trustees Information Management
  Requirement
• Perform basic operations of personal computer
  use understand and use basic research
  techniques and locate, evaluate and synthesize
  information from a variety of sources

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Context and Guiding Documents

• Plattsburghs New General Education Plan
  Requirement for Information Management
• Courses in this category will ensure that
  students have mastered the skills and concepts
  basic to information and technology
  literacy.Courses in this category will focus on
  the ability to use technology effectively and
  filter, analyze and critique information and
  experience.

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Context and Guiding Documents

• Task Force on Information Computer Literacy
  Computer Skills
• Become familiar with Plattsburghs technology
  facilities and services, the essentials of using
  computers, and basic email communication and word
  processing
• Be introduced to the potential uses of
  spreadsheets, databases, graphics and
  presentation programs
• Be introduced to ethical, legal, and
  socioeconomic issues surrounding technology use
  at Plattsburgh and in society

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Development of Computer Literacy Computer
Literacy Assessment

• Library Faculty Assessment Group Membership
• Librarians from four units Access Services,
  Information Outreach, Collection Development
  Management, Instruction Services
• Coordinator, Instructional Technology

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Computer Literacy Assessment

• Issues
• Who would teach computer literacy?
• Who else would create assessment, if not us?
• Who would administer assessment?
• What format should be used for assessment?
• Should test be online or paper?

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Computer Literacy Assessment

• Models
• California State Chico State, Calpoly
• University of Houston
• Australian National University
• University of Oregon

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Computer Literacy Assessment

• Categories
• Familiarity with Plattsburghs Technology
  Services Facilities
• Essentials of using computers
• Basic email communication
• Basic word processingin Microsoft Word
• Basic browser use

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Information Management Assessment

• Merging information literacy and technology
  literacy into one test
• Final modifications of the test
• Assessment results raise questions for future
  exploration
• Assessment development benefits new course
  development

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Course Development and Beyond

• Assessment to course development
• Comparison of on-campus version of course with
  SLN version
• Pencil paper assessment vs. hands-on skills
  assessment

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Things We Learned

• Group development of assessment brings multiple
  voices viewpoints
• A variety of campus models can provide directions
  and guidance when embarking on assessment
  development for the first time.
• Developing an assessment test can be a powerful
  tool to assist in the development of a new course
  or revision of an existing course.

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Resources Contact Information

• A resource page with links to the materials
  mentioned in this presentation is available at
• http//faculty.plattsburgh.edu/carla.hendrix/pres
  entations/gear.htm
• Contact Us
• Debra Kimok debra.kimok_at_plattsburgh.edu
• Carla Hendrix carla.hendrix_at_plattsburgh.edu