Learning Outcomes, Instructional Design, And the 50-Minute Information Literacy Session (Report‪)‬

ABSTRACT Scheduled librarian interaction with undergraduates is very often limited to one 50-minute class period per semester, commonly known as a "one-shot" session. One-shots present the challenge of providing instruction on use of the library and its resources, topic selection, search strategy, resource evaluation, and core principles of information literacy--while, simultaneously gathering data for assessment, addressing diverse learning styles and engaging students. The use of learning outcomes as the foundation for one-shot instructional design can both facilitate learning and increase content relevancy for students. This paper discusses applying outcome-based instructional design to one-shot sessions. It demonstrates how, by shifting the focus of the session from explication of library tools to student need-based searching skills and resource evaluation, the librarian can effectively address learning styles, promote student engagement, streamline and enliven the session, and produce data for needs assessment. An example of a session designed for Tier I writing classes at Michigan State University is presented along with student needs assessment data collected during these sessions in the fall semester of 2007.