How could we measure the skill outcomes of student placements? As I don’t seem to think it is really done in a succinct way. Maybe there is a reason for that.
The story I have in my post from my past student, Vanessa Lastrina, (A 3rd years experience so far) actually extracts some skills she has learnt, which includes:
- Dublin Core
- Extranets
- Intranet
- Thesaurus Construction
- Databases
- Cataloguing – including websites
- Metadata
- Ultranet
- Gateway
- Content Management System
This is a list derived from Vanessa’s own learning. It has got me thinking about whether educational institutions should assess their students learning by checking off the list as well as getting students to write their diary and complete a project. I think it would also be great for their resume as they can list what they have learnt in the workplace. Not sure what others think about this?
Hi Jill
From my own studies, the above list is covered, but to some degree only as course coordinators have to fit in the newer electronic information mgt areas (such as CMS and even EDMS) with the traditional subject areas such as cataloguing and thesaurus construction. Students who do experience at your workplace are lucky to do that stuff. But, for example, the place where I did mine was not the type of library to have anything to do with dublin core or maintenance of the intranet. It was more research based so I had very good experience using the wide range of databses.
Being able to list all these skills on a resume, however, would be of great benefit. If workplaces were told that they should try as best they can to give placement students experience in these areas I think that would be very helpful. It wouldn’t be so hard to incorporate these into the programmes that the workplace sets for the student.
Good to have you back, I hear you are really busy hope to catch up with you soon though!