The different sources of evaluative feedback

As should be evident, there is no single correct way to conduct an evaluation exercise. We may, for example, be looking for outcomes (whether intended or not) in cognitive, affective and skills areas, and also for an insight into possible problems concerning the implementation and operation of an educational system. Much also depends on whether we are adopting an 'illuminative' strategy or a more rigid 'scientific' approach.

Because of the variety of information that we may be looking for during an evaluation, it is normally advisable to seek this information from as many different sources as possible, using a battery of evaluation techniques. The main sources from which such information can be obtained are as follows:

• feedback from classroom observation
• feedback from student assessment
• feedback from the students themselves
• feedback from teaching staff
• feedback from other 'stakeholders'.

Let us now examine each of these in turn.

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