Assessing Student Learning Outcomes

An ACRL Online Seminar
Check back for dates.

(Registered participants, log into WebCT here. Trouble accessing WebCT? Visit the WebCT troubleshooting page.)

Course Description:
This course will provide you with the information you need to begin a program of assessment in your information literacy program.  The course will cover planning for assessment, using the ACRL Information Literacy Competency Standards, developing goals and objectives, and developing a research design.  We will discuss the importance of planning for assessment, the ABCD method to writing goals and objectives, the various instruments that can be used to assess information literacy, some general guidelines for choosing the best instrument, and how to analyze and evaluate your data.  The course will provide an opportunity for us to share our experiences in assessment and to learn from one another through threaded discussion and chat. 

Assessing Student Learning Outcomes is a primarily asynchronous seminar, allowing participants to work through course material at times convenient to them throughout the week. One real-time online chat with instructors will be scheduled for each week of the course, time and day to be determined. Participants may also choose to schedule additional chat time with one another or with instructors as they feel necessary. Specific material and activities are expected to be covered during each week of the course. Threaded discussion forums will be available for use in activities and other course-related conversations.

Live Chat Sessions:
Participants will be divided into three groups, with one real-time chat sessions per group held each week; participants may attend the session for a group other than their own if the time of their groups session does not work for them. Participation in chat sessions is encouraged but not mandatory; transcripts of the discussions are posted following the sessions.

Chats will be held weekly at the following times:

Group 1 - Wednesdays from noon to 1:00 p.m. Eastern
Group 2 - Thursdays from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Eastern
Group 3 - Thursdays from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this seminar, you will complete:

• A plan for assessment of an aspect of your information literacy program
• Goals and objectives for all or part of your information literacy program
• A research design for an area of assessment

Instructors:
Alison Armstrong, information literacy coordinator, American University in Cairo
Barbara Burd, director of library services, College Misericordia
Lori Buchanan, user education librarian, Austin PEAY State University

Course Requirements:
Your participation will require approximately three to five hours per week to:

• Read the online seminar material
• Post to online discussion boards 
• Complete online exercises, which will result in a plan for assessment on your campus
• Complete a seminar evaluation form

Registration
ACRL member: $135
ALA member: $175
CACUL member: Can$195 (charges will be made in U.S. dollars)
Nonmember: $195
Student: $60

Registration is closed.

Member rates apply to personal memberships only. Want to join ACRL or ALA? Complete the online membership form, available on the ALA Web site. If you join ALA/ACRL within five days of registering, we will adjust your fee (please fax a copy of your completed registration form to ACRL at 312-280-2520).

Payment may be made by credit card or purchase order (PO) only.
If paying by PO, the PO number is required at the time of registration.