Click here to view a paper version of the current syllabus. Blackboard will be used to manage grades, but all other information will be available here.
Office Hours: Virtually & face-to-face on Tuesdays, 11-1 p.m. or by appointment.
Course Description & Objectives
Most of us choose to become instructional designers or teachers because we want to make a difference in the lives of others. However, how will we know if we have, in fact, made a difference? How will we know our impact? How will we know if we can improve?
These are questions that can be answered through evaluation. In this course we will study the development of evaluation as a professional field, alternative methods for conceptualizing and implementing evaluations, and practical guidelines for completing your first evaluation. It is my hope that by the end of this class, you will:
- Understand what an evaluation is, what various different methods of evaluation are, and which evaluation framework is most appropriate for your own work.
- Develop strategies for effectively working with stakeholders and clients.
- Recognize how to tailor an evaluation to meet the needs of a context and the stakeholders.
- Understand and be able to develop the various components of an in-depth evaluation proposal
- Successfully complete an evaluation project.
Course Description & Objectives
For this course we have one required textbook and one suggested textbook. We will also read articles or materials that I will provide on occasion. We will begin using the textbooks immediately and move quickly so please acquire your books as soon as possible.
Required
Fitzpatrick, J. L.; Sanders, J. R.; & Worthen, B. R. (2004). Program Evaluation: Alternative Approaches and Practical Guidelines. Boston: Pearson Education.
Recommended
Alkin, M. C. (2004). Evaluation Roots. Sage.
This book contains essays from the foundational evaluation scholars describing how they developed their different models. It’s well worth owning if you seek to understand the field of evaluation.
Late & Makeup Work
Due dates for assignments are listed on the calendar. A minimum 10% late penalty will be assessed for work submitted after the assignment deadline unless I have previously approved a later deadline due to extenuating circumstances. Work that is submitted over a week late will receive an additional 10% penalty for each week late. No late work is accepted after the last day of class.
Because we are doing a real project for a client within a tight timeframe, it will be critical that everyone completes their work on time.
Backing Up Work
It is your responsibility to back up all of the work you do in class, saving it in at least TWO locations until you receive your final course grade. To do this you can use: 1) your required USB key drive, 2) home computer, 3) email attachments, 4) free online space (such as http://www.box.net), or 5) external hard drive. If you need motivation for backing up your work, ask me about the time I lost over half of my literature review to a computer failure a few weeks before my thesis was due. Ah, the memories. 
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Course Grading & Honesty Policy
Final grades will be calculated with the following percentages. You must complete ALL assignments to get a passing grade. You must honestly complete all the work yourself, but you may share ideas with each other.
A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- F
94-100 90-93 87-89 83-86 80-82 77-79 73-76 70-72 0-69
Electronic Devices
As a courtesy to everyone, please turn off cell phones during class and use laptops only for taking notes or looking up materials relevant to our discussion. Checking email, Facebook, and other off-task sites diminishes your ability to learn and my ability to teach, and is distracting to the other learners in class.