Finite Questions and Infinite Answers: Online Assessment of Information Literacy Skills

Information staff at Swinburne University's Lilydale campus design and deliver an information literacy module within Information Methods, a compulsory subject for all first year higher education students. The information literacy component comprises units in constructing search strategies, using electronic databases, and searching the internet and the Swinburne Intranet. The component accounts for 20% of the students' assessment. Formative and summative assessment online raises a number of issues such as the huge number of possible correct answers to many of the questions, and the need to adapt procedures for both 'hands-on' and examination conditions. This paper addresses practical and educational ramifications.