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Pathways for Assessing Scientific Literacy, Fluency in Technology, and Information Literacy

Pathways for Assessing Scientific Literacy, Fluency in Technology, and Information Literacy. Kathleen Warner, PhD Janet Zimmer, PhD Elizabeth Mulherrin, MLIS. Agenda. Overview of University of Maryland University College, UMUC Scientific Literacy Kathleen Warner Fluency in Technology

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Pathways for Assessing Scientific Literacy, Fluency in Technology, and Information Literacy

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  1. Pathways for Assessing Scientific Literacy, Fluency in Technology, andInformation Literacy Kathleen Warner, PhD Janet Zimmer, PhD Elizabeth Mulherrin, MLIS

  2. Agenda • Overview of University of Maryland University College, UMUC • Scientific Literacy • Kathleen Warner • Fluency in Technology • Janet Zimmer • Information Literacy • Elizabeth Mulherrin • Questions • Hands-On Activity

  3. University of Maryland University College • One of 11 degree-granting institutions within USM • Open university of the state of Maryland and the United States • Profile of Students • Adult • Part-time • Average age is 32 yrs • Serves Maryland, military personnel and undergraduate students worldwide • Online courses

  4. University of Maryland University College • General Education Requirements • Core Learning Areas • Scientific Literacy • Information Literacy • Fluency in Technology • Learning Outcomes Assessment of Core Learning Areas • Maryland Higher Education Commission, MHEC • Middle States • UMUC’s Office of Outcomes Assessment

  5. Scientific Literacy UMUC Core Learning Area Definition: Demonstrate the ability to understand key concepts and principles of the natural sciences and apply these principles appropriately within their lives

  6. Scientific Literacy • BIOL 101, fulfills General Education Science Requirement • Common Final Exam • Exam Chair • Faculty collaboration • Tool for university wide assessment of scientific literacy

  7. Scientific Literacy • Alignment • Course Objectives • Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Objectives • National Objectives Missing • National Science Teachers Association • American Association for the Advancement of Science Project 2061

  8. Scientific Literacy • National Scientific Literacy Standards • Areas of Conceptual Understanding • COMAR, Objectives for General Education Courses in Biological and Physical Sciences • BIOL 101 Course Objectives

  9. Scientific Literacy • Construction of the Tool, BIOL 101 Final Exam • 40 multiple choice questions • 6 essay questions • 15 Course Objectives • Mapped each Multiple Choice Question to Course Objective

  10. Scientific Literacy • Pilot of 6 online sections and 6 face-to-face sections in fall • All sections in spring • Item analysis • Objective Analysis

  11. Fluency in Information Technology • Janet Zimmer

  12. Fluency in Technology (FIT) UMUC Core Learning Area Definition: Demonstrate an understanding of information technology broadly enough to apply technology productively to academic studies, work, and everyday life

  13. Fluency in Technology (FIT) • University System of Maryland Board of Regents Resolution – January 21, 2001 • Defined minimum technology fluency standards for all graduates of University System of Maryland students • Standards identified in three areas: • Skills competencies • Foundation concepts • Intellectual capabilities

  14. Fluency in Technology (FIT) • Skills Competencies • Using a word processor • Using a graphics and/or artwork package • Using the Internet effectively • Using a computer to communicate with others • Using a spreadsheet • Using a database system • Using instructional materials

  15. Fluency in Technology (FIT) • Foundation Concepts • What a computer is and how a computer works • Information systems • Networks • Digital representation of information • Limitations of information technology • Societal impact of information and information technology

  16. Fluency in Technology (FIT) • Intellectual Capability Competencies • Managing complexity • Organizing and navigating information structures • Evaluating information • Collaborating • Anticipating changing technologies

  17. Fluency in Technology (FIT) • Challenge • graduation-level requirements but no capstone course to evaluate • Provost determined that successful course completion not sufficient evidence that graduates have satisfied requirements

  18. Fluency in Technology (FIT) • IFSM 201 – Computer-based Systems chosen as a class that addressed 15 of the 18 competencies • IFSM 201 a required GER course for all UMUC students • Course modified to ensure that all competencies were addressed in course objectives, online modules, and class activities

  19. Fluency in Technology (FIT) • Common final exam for the course created • Official common final exam • 75 multiple choice questions • 5 essay questions (not reported as part of the assessment) • Administered for the first time in Fall 2003 • Item analysis of results from 4 pilot exams used to create exams for institutional-level reporting to the Office of Outcomes Assessment in 2006

  20. Fluency in Technology (FIT)

  21. Fluency in Technology (FIT) • Implications and Recommendations • Changes to the exam • Curricular changes • Instructional practices

  22. Information Literacy • Elizabeth Mulherrin

  23. Information Literacy UMUC Core Learning Area Definition: Demonstrate the ability to use libraries and other information resources to effectively locate, select, and evaluate needed information

  24. Information Literacy • LIBS 150 a required 1-credit information literacy course within 18 credit hours • Foundation course with objectives mapped to national standards • Institutional level assessment in Information Literacy Core Learning Area with course embedded common final exam • Exam items mapped to course goals and national information literacy standards (ACRL)

  25. Information Literacy • Item analysis of final exams since 2001 • Qualitative analysis of student course evaluations 2002-2004 • Course revisions in 2003 and 2005 • New common exam piloted in 2005-2006 • Exam revisions planned for 2007

  26. Information Literacy

  27. Information Literacy

  28. Information Literacy

  29. Pathways for Assessing Information Literacy You are searching for articles on the potential health risks of genetically modified foods for children with food allergies. Which of the following search strategies would most likely retrieve relevant articles on the topic?a. allerg* AND child* AND genetically modified foods b. genetically modified foods AND healthc. (nutrition OR allergies) AND child*

  30. Pathways for Assessing Fluency in Technology What is a written guideline that helps determine whether a specific computer action is ethical or unethical? a. Digital Copyright Act b. IT Code of Conduct c. Authorized Use Policy d. License Agreement

  31. Pathways for Assessing Scientific Literacy The control center of the cell that contains the cell’s chromosomes is called the _______________. a. endoplasmic reticulum b. mitochondrion c. nucleus d. ribosome

  32. Pathways for Assessing Scientific Literacy, Fluency in Technology, andInformation Literacy Questions

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