Formative Evaluation

With the advent of eLearning and multimedia resources for learning, there has been quite a bit of hype around quality.

Some of the questions which might be asked when examining the quality of an educational experience are the following:
- Do students learn well enough online?
- How can we design courses and materials which provide meaningful interactions between students and their lecturers and with each other?
- What sort of design will provide the best learning?

A good starting point if you are thinking about ways in which eLearning can be evaluated for quality, is to explore the eLearning Guidelines which have been developed for New Zealand. These were used by 21 tertiary organisations as part of a Ministry of Education funded and sector wide project on implementing e-learning guidelines. This national project provided a mechanism for developing, introducing, trialling, evaluating, and sharing examples of e-Learning Guidelines.

As part of your course assessment you will need to do formative evaluation for the quality assurance of am e-learning resource. Please read this article Formative Evaluation strategies for an example.

Things to do:
- Identify two issues related to quality in eLearning - these will provide part of the rationale for your evaluation project.

- Select two eLearning evaluation models with an explanation of your reasons for choosing them. Include a description of how the models might address the issues you have identified.


We will discuss these articles and your selected models in class next week.

Grades and Task

Grades (marks) will be based upon the following points scheme:

1. Report on an Evaluation Plan of a selected E-learning Product - 30 points
2. One mid-term test - 20 points
3. Participation in Discussions - 10 points
4. Final Exam - 40 points

YOUR TASK
You will work with a team of other participants (maximum of four in a group) in this course to prepare an evaluation plan for an e-learning interactive multimedia program for real clients in an authentic context

Effort will go a long way in this course. Expect to work hard. Use your imagination and take risks! The amount of yourself you are willing to invest in this course will be directly proportional to how much you will learn in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Introduction

This course focuses on the evaluation of e-learning programs, both those that are commercially produced and those that a teacher, college instructor or trainer might develop for his/her own students. Quite frankly, the KSA's (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) of a competent evaluator are so numerous that a single course or even a sequence of courses is inadequate preparation.

The objective of this course is to understand the quality control procedures during and after the development process of an e-learning multimedia products.

The learning outcomes that are expected from students are the ability to:

1. Generate and refine a definition of evaluation.

2. Develop and defend a rationale for evaluation.

3. Compare and contrast various evaluation "models."

4. Distinguish between/among various concepts such as:
a. measurement and evaluation
b. criteria for evaluating input, context, process and outcomes of e-learning programs
c. intrinsic and extrinsic evaluation
d. norm-referenced and criterion-referenced measurement
e. formative and summative evaluation

5. Implement various facets of e-learning evaluation:
a. review
b. needs assessment
c. formative evaluation
d. effectiveness evaluation
e. impact evaluation
f. maintenance evaluation

6. Write an evaluation plan for an e-learning program.

Open and frank communications are encouraged. Feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone if you have any questions or problems concerning this course. I can be reached via email at: putri21_cyber@yahoo.co.uk or by phone at 03-83125533 or 0136379836. Open and frank communication will be essential to our collaboration in making this a successful learning experience for all.

PLEASE REFER TO THE COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE IN THE SIDEBAR.
Thank you and Good Luck!