In the Information Management skill category, there are four defining skills that relate to two learning outcomes.

Introduction

This section provides some suggestions for the delivery of material related to Essential Employability Skills Outcomes 6 and 7: the information management skills. There are two sections. The first looks at learning activities and assignments that would support the teaching of these outcomes and address the assess component. The second section provides sample evaluation tools that focus on these two outcomes.

Learning Activities and Assignments

The following list provides some suggested learning activities and assignments that would support the teaching and assessment of the outcomes in the Information Management skill category.

6.  locate information

• documentation exercises
• exercises and activities to develop computer literacy and fluency
• internet searches
• structured research assignments
• database search exercises
• annotated bibliographies
• developing research plans
• exercises involving the organisation of information

7.  analyze and evaluate relevant information

• research assignments that require students to create structure and set boundaries
• extending or following through on already prepared research plans
• activities and exercises to acquire or determine the best sources of information
• literature reviews
• activities and exercises working with primary source material

When considering the teaching and assessment of the Information Management skill category, it is important to distinguish between the focus on gathering and managing information, selecting and using appropriate tools and technology for a task or a project, computer literacy, and internet skills for their own sake, and the use of these skills as a way of demonstrating the achievement of other outcomes. For instance, students in an online or hybrid course may be required to submit their assignments in a certain electronic format and following specific guidelines. If these submission requirements are for administrative reasons (consistency and ease of collection), then it is less likely that the focus is on the EES Information Management skill category.

As with other EES skill categories, it is important to distinguish between expectations of student performance and the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that are being assessed.

Evaluation Tools

The evaluation tools provided below are intended to help with the visualisation of the outcomes in terms of student achievement.

General Examples

In order to provide a broader picture of the possibilities for evaluating these outcomes, the EES committee has prepared rubrics for each outcome. Following the work of Fostaty Young and Wilson, the rubrics have been developed using the ICE model, which, among other things, allows for a consideration of components of the outcome with increasing depth, through a movement from Ideas to Connections to Extensions.

• ICE rubric for EES Outcome #6 (Adobe Acrobat File)
• ICE rubric for EES Outcome #7 (Adobe Acrobat File)