Augustana librarians use a variety of methods to assess student learning, including polling and observation during instruction and questionnaires after instruction sessions.
When Augustana offered IL credit courses (2001-2015), Augustana's librarians used a multi-pronged approach to gain as much information as possible about the impact of the IL courses on student learning and on student attitudes toward library research. To assess student learning in the credit courses, Augustana implemented a number of what Lindauer (2004) terms “performance-based” assessment methods including pre-/post- tests, as well as course assignments and tests. The Augustana librarians were also evaluated by students in the IL credit courses.
Our research into the area of IL assessment has been fueled by “institutional curiosity." In keeping with Maki’s (2002) definition, we are seeking “answers to questions about which students learn, what they learn, how well they learn, and when they learn […].”
The Augustana Library has used the online assessment tool WASSAIL for assessment.
Lindauer, B. G. “The Three Arenas of Information Literacy Assessment.” Reference & User Services Quarterly 44, no. 2 (2004): 122-129.
Maki, P. L. “Developing an Assessment Plan to Learn about Student Learning.” Journal of Academic Librarianship 28, nos. 1 and 2 (2002): 8-13.