Comprehensive evaluation model: A tool for the evaluation of nontraditional educational programs

The Comprehensive Evaluation Model is a tool which can be used for the evaluation of nontraditional programs. This Model is useful in helping an educator address issues related to program quality, cost-effectiveness and program improvement. The Model is utilization focused, that is, in applying the Model one assesses who needs evaluative information, and for what purpose. There are four levels of program effects which the evaluator can choose to evaluate. The levels are: 1) participant reaction, 2) participant learning, 3) participant transfer of learning, and 4) organizational impact of the program.     

A new tool for assessing maturity alignment: The enterprise maturity matrix

This article presents the enterprise maturity matrix, a new maturity model. Maturity misalignment is one of the major reasons that many change initiatives fail. Performance improvement professionals can use this matrix to diagnose the current internal state of the organization, articulate the desired future state, and coordinate change solutions. Maturity alignment indicates that an organization must implement the appropriate managerial and operational processes and systems in accordance with the desired maturity level.     

TPMS: A performance support tool for cisco training program managers

Conclusion This paper has explored the impact of TPMS, a performance management and support tool for trainers, on the work of Training Project Managers on the Customer Advocacy Training team within Cisco Systems. TPMS was shown to support the work of PMs through all stages of the ADDIE model. While its focus on the management of the training development process makes it different from other ID tools, TPMS is nonetheless a tool that supports the work of instructional designers. Depending on the route the CA team chooses to follow, TPMS could evolve to a Knowledge Management System (KMS) ID that not only manages the development process but also provides more advanced capabilities for collaboration.     

A competence-based constructivist tool for evaluation

Abstract

Recently the educational system in general, and the university in particular, have suffered a transformation in the way learning, teaching, and subsequently, evaluation are considered due to changes in the European context, including the Bologna Declaration and the constructivist view of learning. There are several adjustments required to implement successfully traditional university teaching practices, such as the use of new technologies in teaching, new ways of tutoring, different groupings, the teaching of competencies and social skills, and, as a result, new forms of evaluation, which constitute the object of this paper. Thus, we show an objective alternative —or complement—to traditional evaluation: a very exhaustive tool for evaluating oral and written presentations which includes four sections: general aspects, contents, questions concerning design and layout, and psychological aspects concerning general competencies. Throughout the paper, the constructivist notions of learning, teaching and evaluation are substantiated and validated with the use of this tool for group or individual presentations or end-of-degree dissertations.     

Statistical data: The underestimated tool for higher education management

Institutions of higher learning in developing countries in general and sub-Saharan Africa in particular have continued to underestimate the crucial role data plays in the management process. They have failed to fully appreciate data as any other resources such as students and staff. The paper identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the existing data for higher education management with special reference to Makerere University. While the University had massive data on students, useability of such data in the management process was questionable. The data was characterised by several weaknesses. These included: inconsistencies in the terms used, incompleteness, rampant data duplication, and lack of continuity of some data elements; lending its useability questionable. Generally, the University concentrated on the collection of quantitative data and little emphasis put on qualitative data. Consequently, making the link between educational input, process and output not only difficult but also impossible.Overall University data system ranging from data collection designs and methods to utilisation was unsatisfactory. This was partly attributed to inadequate appreciation of the role of information in management by the university management, inadequate incentives, and poor coordination between the reporting units. Clearly, the existing data within the University were inadequate for effective management. Corrective measures to improve the information within the University are explored and new data suggested.     

Nontraditional degree options for nurses: A model program

The Institute for Personal and Career Development of Central Michigan University offers external degree programs for adult learners utilizing nontraditional study. The competency-based programs described in this paper include credit given for the educational background and relevant career-life experiences of registered nurses in Michigan. The curriculum options most often chosen by nurses culminate in a BS degree in Community Development with a concentration either in school health or in public health and a BS degree in Management and Supervision with a concentration in health care administration.     

Transitions to work: A model for program development

Interventions designed to assist the unemployed make the transition to employment have typically focused on the development of specific skills. In this paper, the author argues that such approaches are insufficient for counselors to assist individuals attempting to make the transition to employment. A brief background to the unemployment problem is presented, followed by a summary of some of the major problems with traditional employment programs. The author then presents a comprehensive model for program development that incorporates seven levels of intervention, and five components of effective transition programs. Implications for counseling are discussed.     

The use of observational data for formative evaluation of an instructional model

This paper describes a study investigating the characteristics of teacher behavior under two different instructional management models and their differential effects on students under an individualized early learning program. The study investigated the effectiveness and feasibility of using observational techniques in classroom settings to obtain information about student learning processes and outcomes necessary for implementing an adaptive early education model. Observational data, records of student progress in he curricula, and records of student learning activities were collected systematically in order to characterize the classroom behaviors of students and teachers.Learning Research and Development Center University of PittsburghThe research reported herein was supported in part by a grant from the Ford Foundation, and in part by a grant from the United States Office of Education to the Learning Research and Development Center. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the sponsoring agencies and no official endorsement should be inferred.     

SCIS-II and the elementary teacher: A program evaluation

A two-part opinionaire was used to identify teachers' perceptions of the SCIS-II elementary science program. Of particular interest were perceived barriers to effective implementation of the program. The first part of the opinionaire was administered to 685 individuals, or 96.8% of the elementary teachers in a metropolitan school district. The second part was completed by a group of teachers at each grade level in each of the 31 elementary schools, with completion rates ranging from 77%–97% for the 13 SCIS-II units. Results indicate that grades K-2 teachers rated the program more positively than grades 3–6 teachers; teachers who rated the program highly perceived fewer barriers to effectively utilizing the program; and teachers rated the program higher for developing social skills and positive attitudes than for teaching science content and processes. Data on problems with individual SCIS-II units indicated that the viability and performance of the living organisms are problematic in all life science units. Further, the small number of insightful evaluative comments received for the last one-third to one-half of some units suggests that a significant portion of teachers are quitting the units before reaching the end.     

Assessing academic program and department effectiveness using student evaluation data

The use of aggregated student evaluations of their courses and course elements (e.g., subject functionality, affect, difficulty, graded assignments) is suggested as an efficient and useful means of obtaining program and department assessments. Given that the instruments used to collect student evaluations are valid (if they are not, they should not be used for any purpose), then averaging class data is likely to provide a valid and reliable index of program and department effectiveness as evaluated by students.Program and department assessment data are presented and discussed for a large northeastern professional school. Large and significant differences in the ratings of program elements were found. Although many of the elements designed into the program by the administration and faculty were perceived as operational by the students, some discrepancies between the design and student perceptions existed. Substantial departmental differences were also found which indicated areas of strength and weakness both within and across departments. The potential usefulness of the assessment for internal change and development is discussed.     

扭转实验数据的计算机程序处理

利用BASIC语言编写的《工程实验力学》中的扭转实验的数据处理程序,可以较方便和准确的计算扭转实验,减少计算工作量,节约时间.     

A computer science and robotics integration model for primary school: evaluation of a large-scale in-service K-4 teacher-training program

Education and Information Technologies - Integrating computer science (CS) into school curricula has become a worldwide preoccupation. Therefore, we present a CS and Robotics integration model and...     

The GOLD program: A program for gifted learning disabled adolescents

Adolescents who are both gifted and learning disabled have unique needs. The GOLD program is a successful model which includes both resource room support and enrichment. Entrance criteria are described. The curriculum includes teaching students about learning disabilities, self‐advocacy, critical thinking, word processing, communication skills, and ethics. Time is provided for remedial and subject work. As well as the curriculum, the success of the program has resulted from intense involvement of staff, one‐to‐one tutoring, a flexible approach to timetables and attendance, and an environment that encourages hope, humor, trust, and student decision making.