Megan Oakleaf

Bio: Megan Oakleaf is an academic researcher from Syracuse University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Information literacy & Higher education. The author has an hindex of 21, co-authored 53 publications receiving 1673 citations.

The value of academic Libraries: A comprehensive research review and report

Abstract: Through assessment, librarians can gain the hard data they need to make decisions about what purposes they can meet and how well they can meet them. In addition, assessment offers librarians the opportunity to gain the “internal and external credibility that stem[s] from a fundamental organizational transparency that links mission to practice; it sends the powerful message, ‘This is who we are; these are the skills and competencies that we strive to instill in students; these programs and efforts are how we do that; and these data illustrate the sum of our efforts’” (Keeling, et al. 2008, 74). Not only does assessment give librarians a venue for communicating with stakeholders, it determines “the fit” between institutional mission and achieved outcomes (Maki, Developing an Assessment Plan 2002, 8), articulates effectiveness, fosters improvement, increases efficiency (Dougherty 2009, 418), and demonstrates accountability. Additionally assessment provides “an opportunity...for organizational reflection, critique, and learning” (Keeling, et al. 2008, 91) and a chance to engage in “institutional curiosity” (Maki, Developing an Assessment Plan 2002, 8). Although assessment is a “process that may or may not give rise to evidence of success” (Streatfield and Markless, What is Impact Assessment 2009, 140), assessment also gives librarians the “hard numbers and accurate intel” necessary to advocate for greater resource allocations (Rogers 2009, 550) or to facilitate improvement (Dow 1998, 279; Saunders, Regional Accreditation 2007, 325). And, as Kassel states, assessment is the next step “in the evolution of information professionalism” (Kassel 2002).

Dangers and Opportunities: A Conceptual Map of Information Literacy Assessment Approaches

Abstract: The culture of assessment in higher education requires academic librarians to demonstrate the impact of information literacy instruction on student learning. As a result, many librarians seek to gain knowledge about the information literacy assessment approaches available to them. This article identifies three major assessment approaches: (1) fixed-choice tests, (2) performance assessments, and (3) rubrics. It maps the theoretical and educational assumptions on which these options are grounded and charts the dangers and opportunities of each assessment approach.

The information literacy instruction assessment cycle: A guide for increasing student learning and improving librarian instructional skills

Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to present the Information Literacy Instruction Assessment Cycle (ILIAC), to describe the seven stages of the ILIAC, and to offer an extended example that demonstrates how the ILIAC increases librarian instructional abilities and improves student information literacy skills.Design/methodology/approach – Employing survey design methodology, the researcher and participants use a rubric to code artifacts of student learning into pre‐set rubric categories. These categories are assigned point values and statistically analyzed to evaluate students and examine interrater reliability and validity.Findings – By engaging in the ILIAC, librarians gain important data about the information behavior of students and a greater understanding of student strengths and weaknesses. The ILIAC encourages librarians to articulate learning outcomes clearly, analyze them meaningfully, celebrate learning achievements, and diagnose problem areas. In short, the ILIAC results in improved student lear...

Using rubrics to assess information literacy: An examination of methodology and interrater reliability

Abstract: Academic librarians seeking to assess information literacy skills often focus on testing as a primary means of evaluation. Educators have long recognized the limitations of tests, and these limitations cause many educators to prefer rubric assessment to test-based approaches to evaluation. In contrast, many academic librarians are unfamiliar with the benefits of rubrics. Those librarians who have explored the use of information literacy rubrics have not taken a rigorous approach to methodology and interrater reliability. This article seeks to remedy these omissions by describing the benefits of a rubric-based approach to information literacy assessment, identifying a methodology for using rubrics to assess information literacy skills, and analyzing the interrater reliability of information literacy rubrics in the hands of university librarians, faculty, and students. Study results demonstrate that Cohen's κ can be effectively employed to check interrater reliability. The study also indicates that rubric training sessions improve interrater reliability among librarians, faculty, and students. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Are They Learning? Are We? Learning Outcomes and the Academic Library

Abstract: Since the 1990s, the assessment of learning outcomes in academic libraries has accelerated rapidly, and librarians have come to recognize the necessity of articulating and assessing student learning outcomes. Initially, librarians developed tools and instruments to assess information literacy student learning outcomes. Now, academic librarians are moving to a larger scale assessment approach: the articulation and demonstration of library impact on institutions of higher education. This article considers six questions relevant to the assessment challenges librarians face in coming years: (1) How committed are librarians to student learning? (2) What do librarians want students to learn? (3) How do librarians document student learning? (4) How committed are librarians to their own learning? (5) What do librarians need to learn? (6) How can librarians document their own learning?

Experience and Education.

Abstract: Preparing the books to read every day is enjoyable for many people. However, there are still many people who also don't like reading. This is a problem. But, when you can support others to start reading, it will be better. One of the books that can be recommended for new readers is experience and education. This book is not kind of difficult book to read. It can be read and understand by the new readers.

Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education

Abstract: Suggestions on How to Use the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education (http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframeworkapps#suggestions) Introduction for Faculty and Administrators (http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards /ilframeworkapps#introfaculty) For Faculty: How to Use the Framework (http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframeworkapps#usefaculty) For Administrators: How to Support the Framework (http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards /ilframeworkapps#adminsupport)

Understanding By Design

Abstract: Thank you very much for reading understanding by design. As you may know, people have look hundreds times for their favorite readings like this understanding by design, but end up in infectious downloads. Rather than enjoying a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they cope with some malicious virus inside their desktop computer. understanding by design is available in our book collection an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly. Our books collection saves in multiple locations, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Merely said, the understanding by design is universally compatible with any devices to read.

A review of rubric use in higher education

Abstract: This paper critically reviews the empirical research on the use of rubrics at the post‐secondary level, identifies gaps in the literature and proposes areas in need of research. Studies of rubrics in higher education have been undertaken in a wide range of disciplines and for multiple purposes, including increasing student achievement, improving instruction and evaluating programmes. While, student perceptions of rubrics are generally positive and some authors report positive responses to rubric use by instructors, others noted a tendency for instructors to resist using them. Two studies suggested that rubric use was associated with improved academic performance, while one did not. The potential of rubrics to identify the need for improvements in courses and programmes has been demonstrated. Studies of the validity of rubrics have shown that clarity and appropriateness of language is a central concern. Studies of rater reliability tend to show that rubrics can lead to a relatively common interpretation of...

The seven habits of highly effective people高效人士的七种习惯

Abstract: 习惯决定了我们的性格。改变习惯固然困难,但只要不断努力,就可以做到。(良好的)习惯由知识、技能和意愿组成。它是在行动和思维的不断转换中产生的。实现目标就是在一种成熟模式上不断进步的过程,即:从依赖到独立,再到互相依赖。尽管独立是现代社会所推崇的模式,我们却可通过合作和专业化取得更多的成功。但是,在选择互相依赖之前,我们必须先学会独立。