How It Works
Course outcomes
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Describe the unique features of evaluation research and how it differs from other forms of research.
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Identify a current problem in your professional setting.
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Understand how to identify and select potential programs, policies, or procedures that could be applied to improve the above-identified problem.
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Understand situation analysis and why it’s important to successful evaluation research studies.
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Understand the distinction between formative (in progress) and summative (after completion of implementation) evaluation of the selected program, policy, or procedure being implemented.
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Develop an evaluation research plan to assess the selected program, policy, or procedure both formatively and summatively.
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Understand how to encourage practical application of the evaluation research results.
Course objectives
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To introduce learners to the nature of evaluation research;
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To show how you can identify a problem in your professional setting that could benefit from applying a program, policy or procedure to improve it;
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To demonstrate how you can conduct a needs assessment to determine the best program, policy, or procedure to the above-identified problem;
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To outline how you can identify your desired target outcomes of an evaluation research study;
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To explain how you can develop an evaluation research plan to accomplish the above objectives.
About Online Learning
How the Course Works
It is easy to participate in your online course. After you register, you will be given a web address to go to get into your online classroom. You will have a password and use your email address and password to gain access. Once inside the online classroom, here's what you can expect.
What You Will Do
For each Unit, you will:
- Access the online readings
- Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides
- Take a self-quiz to see how much you have learned
- Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants
For best learning, you should make one or more comments at 2-3 different times each day.
The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self-quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience.
Participate When You Want
You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate.
For the best learning, participants should log into the course on 2-3 different days of the week.
Discussion
The Discussion for each Unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night.
Your instructor will log into the Discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants.
We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.