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NEWS FROM THE

GIST COMMITTEE

(aka qep) 2/9/02

 

 

 

 

 

We are focusing on two ways to assess

the GIST program:

 

  1. Standardized instrument: I am currently working to procure the Research Readiness Self Assessment (RRSA). 
  2. Performance or course-level assessment: Possibly, this is “embedded assessment” with use of a rubric – under development.

 

The Standardized Instrument: with help from colleagues, I have done a cursory review and comparison of three standardized instruments that are used and known nationally:

Standardized Assessment of Information Literacy Skills (SAILS, Kent State U), ETS ISkills, and the Research Readiness Self Assessment (RRSA, Central Mich. U.).

 

In reviewing these tools, I considered each of the areas: testing format (all are web-based), validity (face and scientific – I found validity literature for each tool), logistics (technology requirements and administration of the test), and sustainability (*cost).

 

*The instrument will test approximately 150 freshmen in the COL 101 course, and a significant number of seniors as part of the exit exam assessment.

 

Each instrument is similar in format, statements on validity, and logistics of administration. However, RRSA is unique in two very important ways:

 

  1. RRSA is not only an instrument for gathering assessment data, it is also an educational tool. After completing RRSA, students receive immediate, individualized feedback on their responses, as well as suggested resources for self-directed learning. No other standardized information literacy instrument does this.

 

  1. Sustainability – SAILS costs approximately, $6000. The ETS ISkills test costs approximately $4000. RRSA will cost about $500 for 151 or more test records.

 

Faculty who are interested can contact James Parrigin for an RRSA tool test drive: JLParrigin@ncwc.edu, 252-985-5233. More info about the test here: http://library.ncwc.edu/qep/qepassessment.htm

Other projects have emerged out of our initial work to develop the GIST program.

 

  • Dr. Nancy Floyd and I have put together an independent study project that involves two CIS majors, Adam Coleman and Michael Fernandez, who will help us promote GIST to the student body. They are currently developing a GIST Facebook account that other students will be invited to as “Friends of GIST” and video interviews that investigate what other students know about Information Literacy. There are currently over 1400 people in the NC Wesleyan Facebook network. Adam and Michael will make “friends” with this social network, thus promoting GIST as “value-added” to the NC Wesleyan curriculum.

 

  • This semester, the GIST/QEP group is hosting a conference that celebrates our students’ information literacy and research skills. Members of our committee worked with several city departments in Rocky Mount during the summer (’08) to develop Rocky Mount city research topics that any Wesleyan professor can integrate into research-oriented courses.

 

Last semester, students in the Research Methods 308 course wrote papers on these topics. This semester, I am told that other professors have integrated the topics into course content. The committee plans to host a conference tentatively titled:

“NC Wesleyan Student Research: Rocky Mount Topics Engaged”

 

The town-hall “Rocky Mount Topics Engaged” conference celebrates the collaboration and dialogue between city and College and will encourage other faculty to adopt the Rocky Mount Research Topics for use in their own research-oriented courses, thereby creating a wider dialogue between Rocky Mount and NC Wesleyan.  

  • Two or more students will be selected to present their papers in a town hall-style conference.
  • City officials, Trustees, students, faculty, and staff will be invited.
  • A discussion about the individual research topics will follow each presentation.

The conference will be held in March and I will send out more details as they develop.

 

For a list of the research topics see: http://library.ncwc.edu/qep/cityresearchtopics.pdf