In assessing student information literacy, which tool would help in evaluating a student's practical skills?

Using skill-based tests is an effective way to assess a student's practical information literacy skills because these tests are designed to measure the actual application of knowledge. They often involve tasks that require students to demonstrate their ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively. This approach allows educators to observe how well students can utilize their skills in real-world scenarios or simulated environments.

In contrast, written essays, oral presentations, and peer reviews tend to focus more on communication of ideas, analysis, and feedback rather than the direct application of practical skills. While these methods can provide useful insights into a student's understanding and reasoning, they might not adequately capture the hands-on competencies critical to information literacy. Skill-based tests specifically target the execution of skill sets, making them a more direct measure of practical information literacy.