Developing Information Literacy and Academic Writing Skills Through the Collaborative Design of an Assessment Task for First Year Engineering Students

Abstract

In this project, a collaborative three-way partnership approach to assessment design utilising the combined skill set of a lecturer, librarian and first year learning advisor was taken. The project aimed to design a first year assessment task that encouraged success and confidence by allowing for the development of core skills in information literacy and academic writing whilst maintaining disciplinary standards. Team skills were identified, tasks were negotiated and carried out collaboratively, and the process documented and reflections noted. The agreed-upon key tasks underpinning the success of the new scaffolded design were selective topic selection and careful question formulation to improve student engagement and understanding. The new scaffolded approach to assessment was rewarding for staff, and preliminary student feedback suggests an enhanced learning exercise for students.