GED4807

Evaluating educational programs: theory and practice

Not offered in 1999

Associate Professor L C Ingvarson

12 points - 3 hours per week - First semester - Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have developed skills which will enable them to design and implement an evaluation study in their own work setting. Students should understand the social and historical context in which research and evaluation ideas have developed and the work of some key theorists who have shaped current views; the range of concepts and perspectives in the area of curriculum research and evaluation; the social and political contexts in which evaluation and research is conducted and reported.

Synopsis This subject is specially geared to those undertaking responsibility for the evaluation of education programs, curriculum or staff in their workplace. It traces the major ideas and approaches that have developed over recent years in the field of curriculum research and evaluation. Students will be able to examine in detail particular evaluation studies and develop skills in designing evaluation in fields related to their own interests. In particular, the course will aim to strengthen the critical judgement of students in the following areas: the range of theoretical and methodological perspectives in the field of evaluation; techniques in evaluation; evaluation and policy-making; and notions of accountability, school evaluation and teacher evaluation. The subject does not aim to develop expertise in educational measurement or statistical analysis nor should such expertise be considered a prerequisite. Students with backgrounds other than teaching (eg nursing) should find the subject deals with broader issues of program evaluation and ideas should apply to other settings.

Assessment Written 'Evaluate an evaluation' study, or major essay topic or preparation of a case study (4000 words): 50% - Conduct of an evaluation and oral presentation: 50%

Recommended texts

Brinkerhof R O and others Program evaluation: A practitioner's guide for trainers and educators Kluwer Nijhoff, 1983
House E R Professional evaluation: Social impact and political consequences Sage, 1993
Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation The program evaluation standards 2nd edn, Sage, 1994
McLaughlin M W and Phillips D C (eds) Evaluation and education: A quarter century U Chicago P, 1991
Patton M Q Qualitative evaluation and research methods Sage, 1990

Back to the 1999 Education Handbook