FET 8602 Evaluating Learning Programs

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

Increasing demands for quality systems and accountability have made it essential that all persons involved in education be knowledgeable about and competent in the effective use of evaluation approaches, procedures and techniques as they might be applied to educational programs, particularly those delivered in flexible learning modes. This course serves this purpose.

SYNOPSIS:

This course introduces learners to the theory and practices of educational program evaluation. They will be required to understand the concept of education evaluation and related concepts such as assessment and research, understand about different approaches to and models of educational evaluation, be aware of ethical issues in the process of evaluation, understand the concepts of validity and reliability, select and justify appropriate data gathering devices and data analysis strategies for the conduct of evaluations, and understand the special case of evaluation in a flexible learning educational environment. Some group activities may be required. NOTE: 1. This course (FET8602) is available through INTERNET DELIVERY ONLY. There are NO print materials for this course. 2. For details of the technical requirements and accessing Internet study materials, please consult the following URL: http://www.usqonline.com.au. 3. Students enrolling in this course are required to have first-hand knowledge of and access to an actual instructional situation.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course students will be able to effectively evaluate educational innovations. To carry out such evaluations students will be able to:

• define the concept of educational evaluation and distinguish it from related concepts;
• develop an appropriate approach and model for conducting educational evaluations and the special case of evaluations in a flexible learning environment;
• understand the concepts of validity and reliability and how they apply to evaluation;
• understand the principles behind the construction of instruments appropriate for collecting data necessary for an evaluation;
• understand the principles behind data analysis in the context of both qualitative and quantitative evaluations; and
• construct an educational evaluation proposal relating to the evaluation of an educational innovation.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

There are no prescribed texts in this course.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

All recommended reference materials are referred to in the Online materials.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   See Assessment Note 1.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   The Department of Further Education and Training has an extension policy which enables students to be within two weeks of the due date for assignments before they need to contact the course examiner. If more than two weeks late with submission of assignments, students must contact the course examiner to negotiate a further extension.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of a passing grade, students must demonstrate, via the summative assessment items, that they have achieved the required minimum standards in relation to the objectives of the course by satisfactorily* completing all summative assessment items. * As stated in Assessment 2.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES