Title: Computers Too? Developing an Information Management Assessment Instrument in an Information Literacy-rich Environment
1Computers 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
2Topics of Discussion
- Context and Guiding Documents
- Development of the Technology/Computer Literacy
Assessment - Information Management Assessment
- Course Development Beyond
3 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
4Context 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
5Context 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.
6Context 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
7Development 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
8Computer 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?
9Computer Literacy Assessment
- Models
- California State Chico State, Calpoly
- University of Houston
- Australian National University
- University of Oregon
10Computer Literacy Assessment
- Categories
- Familiarity with Plattsburghs Technology
Services Facilities - Essentials of using computers
- Basic email communication
- Basic word processingin Microsoft Word
- Basic browser use
11Information 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
12Course 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
13Things 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.
14Resources 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