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Announcing the launch of the IMPACT Project Assessment Tools and Webinars - Measuring Computational Thinking Outcomes in Youth Library Programs

  • 1.  Announcing the launch of the IMPACT Project Assessment Tools and Webinars - Measuring Computational Thinking Outcomes in Youth Library Programs

    Posted 8 days ago

    Hello everyone,

    Computational Thinking (CT) is essential for all youth to succeed in an information-rich world. Public libraries across the United States seek to provide accessible and equitable opportunities for youth to acquire CT skills and understanding, dispositions, positive experiences, and confidence. These outcomes can shape their future learning opportunities or career trajectories. Assessing the impact of library-based CT programs and opportunities by measuring CT outcomes is essential to creating better CT programs, demonstrating CT learning in your community, and securing resources and funding to implement CT programs with your community.  

    In collaboration with public library staff nationwide, the IMPACT Libraries team at the University of Maryland developed a suite of assessment tools for library staff to measure CT outcomes in youth programs. These assessment tools, including facilitator guides, analysis worksheets, case studies and examples from library programs that used the tools, and video tutorials, are available on the IMPACT Libraries website. 

    The IMPACT Libraries team is organizing three FREE webinars (each are one hour long) to share the seven assessment tools on the following dates:

    1. Thursday, April 13, 2023, 2:00 pm ET, demonstrating tools to collect direct feedback from youth: The Build-Your-Own Interview protocol and Talkback Boards.

    2. Monday, April 17, 2023, 12:00 pm ET, demonstrating observation tools: Design Challenge, CT Conceptual Learning Rubric, and Dispositions Checklist.

    3. Wednesday, April 19, 2023, 12:00 pm ET, demonstrating a combination of direct feedback and self reflection: The CT Confidence Survey and the Facilitator Self-Assessment.

    If you are a library staff or an educator who facilitates CT youth programs, or a library educator teaching in a librarian preparation program, we invite you to register using the following link. 

    We are very grateful for the generous funding by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (Award number: LG-14-19-0079-19) for the project. 

    We are looking forward to seeing you at the webinars! 

    Dr. Mega Subramaniam, Dr. David Weintrop, and Nitzan Koren

    College of Information Studies

    University of Maryland

    impact@umd.edu

    https://impact.ischool.umd.edu



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    Mega Subramaniam
    Professor
    University of Maryland, USA
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