Student Learning Outcomes for ILS Degree Programs

The mission of the ILS programs is to provide a quality publicly supported education and training for generalists and specialists in the fields of library and information science, to serve primarily in academic libraries, public libraries, school media centers, and special libraries in Connecticut, New England, and broader, more diverse global communities. (draft rev. 12.11.10)  

 

Bachelor of Science in Library-Information Service

The overarching goals for the ILS undergraduate program are as follows:

•    The ILS Bachelor of Science degree program provides excellence in the quality of instruction and skill acquisition and competency in key areas of information management and services, both current and emerging

•    ILS Bachelor of Science students acquire a comprehensive understanding of information management and services spanning technical services, user services, and information sources

•    ILS BS program faculty demonstrate critical interdisciplinary analysis and adaptation of information environments through research and scholarship that seeks to find innovative ways of improving information service at various system levels, and influence information literacy development

•    ILS Bachelor of Science students demonstrate research knowledge through a senior capstone that applies of basic principles and methods of information management and services to a real world problem

•    The ILS Bachelor of Science degree program recruits a culturally inclusive body of superior students who will attain the BS degree and seek employment in information agencies, education, and business

To support these overarching goals, the ILS undergraduate program has established the following student learning outcomes:

Students who complete the undergraduate major in information management and services will be able to:

•    Demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility through application of professional ethical standards in library and information work

•    Demonstrate core foundational knowledge of the acquisition process including cataloging and classification for organization of the library's collection

•    Demonstrate core foundational knowledge of the reference interview, library instruction, and reference referral services

•    Demonstrate understanding of contemporary issues of information, libraries, and users

•    Demonstrate core foundational knowledge of kinds of information sources and their use 

•    Demonstrates knowledge of and skills with major technologies used in contemporary information service

•    Apply knowledge of resources, users, and systems to real-world library and information problems 

In addition, students are expected to demonstrate in each course:

•    effective oral communication skills with groups

•    the effective technical writing skills

(draft rev. 9.6.11)
 

 

Master of Library Science

MLS program graduates will be able to:

•    demonstrate foundational knowledge and skills of the profession and ethical behavior consistent with the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association and the Library Bill of Rights

•    select, organize and maintain the library's collection in all media formats and tools that guide the user to the literature and collection

•    catalog all types of library materials according to relevant bibliographic control standards and manage the catalog to ensure optimal access to the collection

•    demonstrate skillful use of current cutting edge technology

•    conduct and apply assessment and evaluation to library services

•    design and implement library services and program to enable lifelong learning in the community

•    exhibit leadership, communication, and team skills for carrying out professional responsibilities and services across cultures and in rapidly changing environments
(draft rev. 3.4.11)

*The program-level student learning outcomes were developed with the input of practitioners, alumni, and students and the American Library Association's Core Competencies to create a shared vision. Additional information is available on the department website at http://www.southernct.edu/ils/sharedvision/
More information on the Core Competences can be found on the ALA website at: http://www.ala.org/ala/educationcareers/careers/corecomp/corecompetences/index.cfm

 

Sixth Year Diploma in Information Studies

The Sixth Year Diploma program provides specialized learning experiences that are built upon a general foundation of library and information studies. Each Sixth Year Diploma student maps out a program of post-MLS specialization in an aspect of information studies that is informed by study in cognate areas.  

Sixth Year Diploma program graduates will be able to:

•    demonstrate foundational knowledge and skills of the profession and ethical behavior consistent with the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association and the Library Bill of Rights

•    demonstrate specialized knowledge and skills consistent with statements of knowledge and competencies developed by the professional organizations relevant to their area of post-MLS specialization and study

•    demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of their cognate areas of study and how they apply to the information field in general and their area of specialization in particular

•    demonstrate skillful use of current cutting edge technology

•    design and conduct self-assessment of knowledge and skills; and apply outcomes to development of a continuing plan of learning/professional development

•    exhibit leadership, communication, and team skills for carrying out professional responsibilities and services across cultures and in rapidly changing environments

(draft)

 

Connecticut Certification in School Media Specialist

Candidates for Connecticut certification as School Library Media Specialist will be able to:

•    Design, implement, and evaluate an instructional program that integrates with the school's curriculum and results in student achievement of learning outcomes in information literacy, independent learning, and socially responsible use of information and information technology.

•    Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, select, acquire, organize, produce and retrieve media in all formats, including printed and audiovisual forms of communications and their accompanying technology.

•    Demonstrate the ability to apply principles of administration and supervision for effective leadership and operation of the school library media center program

•    Demonstrate the ability to support students and staff in developing skills for understanding, interpreting, using, and producing media in various formats and accompanying technology by applying valid instructional methods and techniques.

•    Demonstrate the ability to maintain diverse collections of information resources that support curricula and encourage students and staff to pursue personal interests.

•    Demonstrate the ability to use current instructional and information technologies that enhance learning for students and teachers.

•    Demonstrate the ability to formulate educational specifications and contribution to the design of school library media facilities that are conducive to learning.

•    Demonstrate the ability to form instructional partnerships in all curricular areas to facilitate learning and to develop instructional resources.

•    Demonstrate the ability to support classroom reading instruction and reading for personal and academic success.

•    Demonstrate the ability to support students in developing an appreciation of literature and of reading to access information.

•    Demonstrate an understanding of the growth and development of exceptional children, including handicapped and gifted and talented children and children who may require special education, and methods for identifying, planning for and working effectively with special-needs children in regular classroom and in the school media center. 

(draft)

 

METHODS FOR MEASUREMENT

 

MONITORING MECHANISM   

Beginning Fall 2011, all Master of Library Science and School Library Media certification students will be required to purchase a Tk20 account. Tk20 is an e-portfolio, an online software program used to document each student's growth and development of professional competencies, and a field experience management system. Specific assignments will be linked to the learning outcomes and copies of the student's work will be maintained in Tk20 as evidence of progress toward and achievement of each learning outcome. 

Beginning Fall 2012, all undergraduate ILS students and all Sixth Year Diploma students will be required to purchase a Tk20 account.

 

ASSESSMENT MECHANISM

Course-embedded assignments related to each program's required courses are stored in Tk20. A common rubric developed for each course-embedded assignment is also stored in Tk20 and used to assess that assignment across all students in all sections of the course.

In addition, each program is required to develop a capstone experience that applies or draws together the knowledge and skills acquired in their program. A portfolio that also includes student performance projects completed in elective courses is required.