Formative assessments in the library focus on ongoing feedback and skill-building (like quick reflections, concept maps, or exit tickets), while summative assessments evaluate overall learning outcomes (like projects, presentations, or portfolios). Both are essential for measuring how effectively students engage with library resources and information literacy.
Formative Assessment Examples (Ongoing, Low-Stakes)
Formative assessments help librarians and teachers monitor student progress during learning and adjust instruction immediately.
Concept maps: Students draw a map of library resources or research steps to show their understanding.
Exit tickets: At the end of a library session, students write one thing they learned and one question they still have.
Think-pair-share: Students discuss how they would locate a book or database article, then share strategies.
Quick writes: One-minute reflections on how they used a catalog or search engine.
Annotated library maps: Students sketch the library layout and label services/resources, then compare with the actual map.
Polls or check-ins: Using tools like PollEverywhere to gauge confidence in finding sources.
Summative Assessment Examples (End-of-Learning, Graded)
Summative assessments measure mastery of information literacy and library skills after instruction.
Quizzes: Multiple-choice or short-answer tests on catalog use, citation styles, or database searching.
Research projects: Students complete a project requiring use of library resources, evaluated with a rubric.
Presentations: Students present findings from a library-based research assignment.
Portfolios: Collection of annotated bibliographies, search logs, and reflections showing growth in research skills.
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