History of TRAILS
TRAILS consultants did an extensive review of the information literacy components in the Ohio Academic Content Standards (ACS), distilled them into categories, and aligned those standards with those in Information Power. Objectives were written to address the competencies represented in the categories, followed by the development of questions based on those objectives. These draft questions were then field-tested by volunteer library media specialists working with 9th grade students.
The Web-based system was developed to provide an easily accessible and flexible tool for library media specialists to identify strengths and weaknesses in the information-seeking skills of their students. If areas of weakness can be addressed in high school, it is possible that college freshmen will be more adept at transferring and applying information literacy strategies in higher education settings.
TRAILS Development Timeline
2004:
- Information literacy components in Ohio Academic Content Standards (Ohio ACS) were reviewed and distilled into categories.
- Alignment was determined between Ohio ACS and Information Power.
- Idea of TRAILS was presented to high school teachers and library media specialists at the ILILE Summer Workshops in July 2004. Their feedback was collected and used to design the TRAILS format.
- Discussions were initiated with the database designer for the TRAILS online system.
- Twelve information literacy categories were created from Ohio ACS and Information Power.
- Measurable objectives were written to correspond with information literacy categories.
2005:
- Assessment items were written for each objective.
- Items were reviewed by the TRAILS Development Team.
- Internal Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained from Kent State University for field-testing of individual items.
- Assessment items were field-tested with 9th grade students under the direction of volunteer library media specialists in eleven high schools across Ohio.
- Feedback from field-testing was reviewed, and items were reexamined.
- Items were revised for better understanding and adherence to the objectives.
- Final versions of two TRAILS assessments were selected.
- TRAILS database and Web interface were developed.
Fall 2005:
- TRAILS availability is announced at the 2005 OELMA annual meeting.
- Modifications based on user experience will be made over the 2005-2006 academic year.