Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Teaching/Learning Process

Introduction

This section looks at another of the key stages in any systematic approach to course or curriculum development - evaluation of the effectiveness of the teaching/learning process. It begins by discussing the role of evaluation in the systems approach to instruction that was introduced in the first section - 'The Systems Approach to Curriculum Development' - and discussing the nature of evaluation. It then looks at some of the different modes of evaluation, explaining the difference between formative and summative evaluation, external and internal evaluation, and scientific and illuminative evaluation. Next, it presents a basic model for course or curriculum evaluation based on the general methodological approach developed by the philosopher Karl Popper. It goes on to look at the different sources from which evaluative feedback on educational systems can be obtained and examine the main techniques that can be used to obtain such feedback. The section ends by offering some practical guidance on how to plan and implement an evaluation programme, illustrating this by means of two detailed case studies.

Contents

• The role of evaluation in the systems approach to instruction
• Different modes of evaluation:
  • Formative and summative evaluation
  • External and internal evaluation
  • Scientific and illuminative evaluation
• A basic model for course or curriculum evaluation
• Stages in the development of an instructional system
• How the error elimination process can be carried out
• The different sources of evaluative feedback
  • feedback from classroom observation
  • feedback from student assessment
  • feedback from the students themselves
  • feedback from teaching staff
  • feedback from other 'stakeholders'
• The main evaluation techniques
  • questionnaires
  • interviews and discussions
  • classroom observation
• Planning and implementing evaluation
• Illustrative case study : the evaluation of the 1990-91 Grampian Primary Industry Project
• Further Reading

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