Section 3: Evaluating, Implementing and Managing Instructional Programs and Projects

Section 3: Evaluating, Implementing and Managing Instructional Programs and Projects DUE: 11/18

All too often instruction is developed with little thought as to how evaluation of learning will occur, or the evaluation of the effectiveness of the instruction. Evaluation is usually an after thought - an add on. It's time to start thinking about evaluation on the front end of the instructional design process.

Additionally, there is resistance to the adoption of technological innovations and we must develop an understanding of why and how to facilitate the adoption of innovations with an understanding of why there is resistance.

1.  Chapter 10 discusses evaluation in instructional design and provides you with two evaluation models, the CIPP and Kirkpatrick models for evaluation. Search for at least two other models used for evaluation and summarize these models. Describe how you would use them to evaluate your instruction.

   The two other models that I found were Connoisseurship Evaluation (Eisner) and Goals Free Evaluation (Scriven).

The Connoisseurship Evaluation model involves using an expert in the field appraising the worth and value of an innovation.  For example, if the project involved the analysis of earthquakes and their processes, a seismologist evaluating the validity, accuracy, and the "newness" of a project could conceivably be conducting a connoisseurship evaluation.  This is a common practice for projects and design evaluations in upper level education. 

I would use this model of evaluation when the project is out of my area of expertise.  I am familiar in the areas of social studies, history, government, economics, and English.  However, projects oriented around math, science, or computers, I would definitely need an expert opinion on evalulating the worth of a project.  If I were running a science fair, I would use this model in the judging process.

The Goals Free Evaluation is model that leaves a design project with an open ended objective.  Rather than answering a yes/no question, a goals free will answer higher level thinking questions, such as why? or how come...?  Goals free allows for a whole spectrum of design products from start to finish.  Often, the results are enriched when compared to a goal or objective oriented project.

I am most likely to use this model for any project.  I like this method because it encourages thinking outside the box and higher level thinking.  I see this model being compatable with the new STAAR standards.

2.      Think about a technological innovation within your social system that was recently introduced(social system = place of work, home, etc.). Any innovation has what is known as perceived attributes - relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability. Describe these attributes of the innovation and which of the attributes assisted and/or hindered adoption of the innovation. For example, was it not compatible with the existing beliefs of the system or was it overly complex to use or understand?

One of the new toys I have in my classroom is a Promethean board, which I absolutely love.  This interactive whiteboard helps me to engage my students into my lessons by allowing them to visualize concepts, but they can also involve them kinesthetically.  The hands-on activities that the ActivBoard supports keeps my students focused on the concepts and objectives of my warm-ups and daily lessons.

3.     Chapter's 12 & 13 focus on project management and how to manage projects when resources are scarce. You have been assigned to develop a series of professional development sessions focusing  on technology use in the classroom for teachers. How will you use Situational Leadership to facilitate this project?

I have chosen installing a virtual pen pals program as the topic of my professional development sessions.  This opportunity helps to connest one student in a state to another student in the US, or even the world.  Provided the school computer system can support such a program, it would expose to students to different cultures and ways of life, as well as new perspective to national or world events.