Sunday, November 18, 2012

Instructional Design Evaluation Models


All too often instruction is developed with little thought as to how evaluation of learning or the effectiveness of the instruction will take place. When evaluation is considered on the front end of the instructional design process, it is often limited to evaluating whether the instructional design is more effective than traditional methods.

 

For this week's reflection activities, I would like for you to concentrate on the following:

Chapter 10 discusses evaluation in instructional design and provides you with two evaluation models, the CIPP and Kirkpatrick models for evaluation.

 

Evaluation of innovative instructional practices began using methodology familiar to scientists—experimental groups versus control groups.  In the midst of a revolution in education that spanned the 1960’s, Michael Scriven coined and defined formative evaluation (designed to improve a product or work) and summative evaluation (designed to derive any other information about a product or work, including its overall value).  He believed it necessary to take the intent of evaluation into consideration before analyzing its effectiveness.

 

Chapter 10 highlights the CIPP model of evaluation by Stufflebeam which is comprised of four individual evaluations—context evaluation (assessment of the environment in which the intervention would take place), input evaluation (assesses the resources used), process evaluation (assesses how the program is implemented) and product evaluation (assesses the results and outcomes).  In this model, the evaluator is an essential part of the evaluation process and is involved from the beginning. 

 

Additionally, this chapter discusses the Kirkpatrick model for evaluating training, first proposed in 1959.  As I read the paragraph introducing the model on page 99 (in the 3rd addition of our text), I realized that the Kirkpatrick model is a perfect example of a “schema” or “mental structure” as Wikipedia defines it.  There are four levels of evaluation that can be utilized alone or together, but that build on each other. 

·         Level 1:  Reaction

·         Level 2:  Learning

·         Level 3:  Behavior

·         Level 4:  Results

 



 
Search for at least two other models used for evaluation and summarize these models.

The Kemp model is comprised of nine different steps represented visually by nested ovals.  According to this site from the University of Alberta,http://www.quasar.ualberta.ca/edit573/modules/module4.htm, the nine steps can be defined as follows: 

1.      Identify instructional problems, and specify goals for designing an instructional program.

2.      Examine learner characteristics that should receive attention during planning.

3.      Identify subject content, and analyze task components related to stated goals and purposes.

4.      State instructional objectives for the learner.

5.      Sequence content within each instructional unit for logical learning.

6.      Design instructional strategies so that each learner can master the objectives.

7.      Plan the instructional message and delivery.

8.      Develop evaluation instruments to assess objectives.

9.      Select resources to support instruction and learning activities.

The outer two circles are there to remind the implementer that planning, revision, formative assessment, summative assessment, project management and supporting the program occur at each of the nine steps and repeat throughout. 
 


 

Like the Kirkpatrick model, the TVS or Training Validation System model (Fitz-Enz, 1994) was designed to evaluate training utilizing these four evaluation steps:

1.      Evaluate the situation through pre-assessments

2.      Determine the needed intervention according to the data from step one

3.      Assess the impact by comparing pre- and post-test data.

4.      Derive the value of the training using concrete methods like Return on Investment calculations


 

 

Describe how you would use them to evaluate your instruction.

Honestly, I most likely would not use the Kemp model to evaluate my instruction because of its specificity and because it has about twice as many aspect to consider.  However, for some, the detail of the model would be its strength, especially when beginning to understand the basic concepts of instructional design.  Other strengths are that it addresses sequencing the content in a logical manner rather than a blanket prescription for implementation in step five and that it addresses differentiating learning for the individual student in step six.  If I were using this model, I would focus on steps five and six to help strengthen my instruction.  In my opinion, the other steps are already inherent in the traditional teaching cycle.

 



Conversely, the TVS model seems a little too succinct and may or may not be the best model for me to use to evaluate my instruction.  I appreciate its emphasis on pre-and post-testing.  I rarely formally pre-asses my students, but I believe that they could benefit greatly from it.  However, the TVS model does not seem to clearly explain what should happen in the classroom during the time between those two assessments.





No comments:

Post a Comment