My reflection on Evaluation for Effective Practice

Investigate evaluation theory and processes in your context.
As teachers we are always in the process of evaluating our own practice so this topic not something new to me. However, I paid more attention to the ones that were done within educational context, like Katie’s and Dana’s topic. Though I was interested in other areas like Alex and Richael’s ones I did not follow them closely because of the time restriction. Once I submit last entry I’m going to look at other’s project for my own benefit.
We, at the learning support centre started a research project last year to look at evidence of best practice of learning advisors. We had advisors who are comfortable using quantitative measures and some who are experienced in qualitative methods. This course helped me to develop my knowledge and confidence in using mixed methods that would add validly and reliability to any research.

Demonstrate evidence of reflective learning about the process of evaluation
I intended to use interviews and focus groups as my data collection methods that would shed more light on this project. I was aware that I had to record interviews and transcribe the data and I did not have time to go through the process. So I went on easy options. When I look back my reflective journal entries I could see what went well, what didn’t, why and most of all how I could have done things differently. I value the process I went through than the final product. It is a big learning curve for me.

Discusses and critiques the findings of their evaluation project
I posted my need analysis questionnaire on my blog and modified the questions according to the feedback I received. Then I posted my draft evaluation project on pbworks and gave the link on my blogs so that others could read and critique it. However, not many people had accessed my report as I was late to complete. I didn’t do a good job of maintaining an ongoing blog with the findings but my draft covers the discussion of main findings. The recommendations could have been presented in bullet points to make it precise and clear. The concept proved workable and the good news is that I was already approached by another satellite campus lecturer who asked me for a similar type of service to her department. .
I am hoping that the recommendations will be actioned by the management and I have the opportunity to continue the ‘online support’ to distance students.

Critiques at least two other evaluation projects of participants in the course
As I mentioned previously, I did not commit much time reading the evaluation project on corporate sectors or other unfamiliar areas as I needed more time to process the information. Education field is my familiar route so I followed them and commented on Katie’s and Dana’s blog.