The one-minute paper and the one-hour class : Outcomes assessment for one-shot library instruction

To describe the design and use of an outcomes assessment tool for one-shot library instruction classes that is objective, quantitative, easy to use, and flexible. An "outcomes" assessment tool was created based on the ideas of the one-minute paper and student reflection papers. The tool was administered to classes in Spanish and Biology that had one shot library sessions. The assessment tool was helpful in pointing out areas where librarians need to improve instruction in their one shot classes. The tool was useful, easy to use, and fulfilled our objectives. The tool's use may be limited to institutions where there is excellent rapport between librarians and course instructors or to libraries with a staff large enough to find volunteers to grade the papers outside of the course librarian. The tool developed provides one more weapon for the outcomes assessment arsenal. This contribution is unique; there is no other outcomes assessment tool for one-shot classes in the library literature. Because one-shot sessions are the majority of library instruction appearances and because outcomes assessment is very important, this tool should be of great practical help to instruction librarians.