MDDE 617: Program Evaluation in Distance Education

Delivery mode: Grouped study using Moodle

Credits: 3 - Elective

Prerequisites: None

Instructor Fall 2012: TBA

Overview

In Program Evaluation in Distance Education MDDE 617 you will be introduced to the field of program evaluation, which spans a number of social science disciplines including education and training, nursing and medical education, social work, military training, and business. The course is designed to increase the student’s knowledge and understanding of major forms, approaches, and models of program evaluation and applying that knowledge in the production of a program evaluation proposal.

Course Objectives

Throughout the course the following objectives are intended to guide your study.

• discuss how the roots of program evaluation lie in research, particularly scientific measurement.

• distinguish between program evaluation’s purposes, uses, and essential activities.

• differentiate between formative and summative evaluation

• distinguish between testing and evaluation

• discuss the emergence of modern program evaluation in the 1960s

• describe five theoretical frameworks for program evaluation

• describe the six categories of program evaluation models

• relate the six model categories to distinct evaluation beliefs/theories

• delineate evaluation models in relation to the program evaluation continuum

• discuss aspects of planning in relation to the various program evaluation models

• describe the five forms of program evaluation

• relate the five forms of program evaluation to distinct evaluation purposes

• delineate evaluation forms in relation to the program continuum

• discuss aspects of program planning in relation to the various forms of program evaluation

• discuss integration of evaluation forms and models

• discuss methodological issues pertaining to the various program evaluation forms and models

• distinguish between quantitative and qualitative data and the complementary use of both data forms in evaluation

• describe when, why and how to implement the various data collection activities

• develop and provide a rationale for evaluation questions

• develop and justify evaluation standards and criteria

• discuss the unique challenges of evaluation at a distance

• describe specific applications of program evaluation to distance education

• develop a proposal for an evaluation of a distance education program.

Course Outline

This course is divided into five units.

• Unit 1 Overview of History and Theory of Program Evaluation

• Unit 2 Program Evaluation Models and Approaches

• Unit 3 Program Evaluation Forms and Purposes

• Unit 4 Program Evaluation Methods and Applications

• Unit 5 Program Evaluation and Distance Education

Course Materials

In addition to this Study Guide for MDDE 617, your course materials include the following:

Textbooks

Fitzpatrick, J. L., Sanders, J. R., & Worthen, B. R.(2010). Program evaluation: Alternative approaches and practical guidelines. White Plains, NY: Longman.

Owen, J. M., & Rogers, P. J. (1999). Program evaluation: Forms and approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Readings

A collection of articles and current literature on program evaluation. Most are available in paper form in your Readings, however a few are available in electronic format.

Case Study Text

The Case Study Text contains mostly fictitious evaluation requests for proposals, proposals, and evaluation reports. It is authored by the course designer, and selected cases will be used to guide both discussion forums and course assignments.

Student Evaluation

Assignments	Maximum Grade
Assignment #1 Evaluation plan and standards/criteria specification.	25%
Assignment #2 Critique of an evaluation report using five forms of program evaluation.	25%
Assignment #3 Development of program evaluation proposal.	35%
Online discussion forums, 3 of 5	15%

 

 

CDE - Last updated by MM February 06, 2012