Seminar B: Reviewing our (Classroom) Performance: Evaluating Special Collections Instruction

Abstract

Evaluating and assessing student learning and experiences in special collections can help librarians tailor their teaching in the future, and can also help them determine whether students are meeting the learning outcomes set for their classes. However, creating assessment tools for special collections has often been a challenge. While there are many quick, popular tools for assessing library instruction, many of these do not lend themselves to special collections classes. This seminar will provide information on tying assessment to learning outcomes, course-level objectives, and discipline-specific competencies; the usefulness of both formal and informal means of assessment; and results of both anecdotal feedback and targeted assignments aimed at understanding students’ learning after class visits to special collections. We hope that attendees will come prepared to discuss their own ideas, experiences, and questions about special collection teaching and assessment.