Friday 4 April 2008

Project Thoughts

Some information about the type of evaluation for my project.

Paradigm
Model
Method
Eclectic-Mixed Methods-Pragmatic

From a variety of methods pull together an appreciation of current practice to inform future practice.
Stake's Responsive Evaluation method

Start with some observations of current practice and then develop queries to explore further.
Formative Evaluation

To provide an insight into a developing project to make the most of strengths and minimse and flaws.
  • Project: The use of Moodle to deliver e-learning in a blended learning environment. Specifically:
  1. ST7 Will the e-learning foster students’ curiosity and creativity?
  2. ST9 Do the technologies employed help students successfully meet the learning outcomes?
  • I'm interested in getting a better understanding of how Moodle, as a container for e-learning, impacts on learning.
  • The expected outcome would be practical suggestions for future blended learning strategies.
  • I would like to gather views from multiple perspectives - student, teacher, Moodle adminstrator.
  • I would like to observe some lessons where blended learning is planned. This should give me an indication of student response to e-learning resources and perhaps provide evidence of curiosity, creativity or achievement of learning outcomes. From these observations I would expect to develop further questions to use in surveys or interviews (i.e. responsive evaluation)
  • I would like to survey/interview students to gather views on the use of Moodle in their lessons. Do they enjoy this type of learning? Is it helpful? Is it efficient? Is it fun?
  • I would like to survey/interview teachers who have used or are using Moodle. What do they really think about blended learning? Is it effective?
  • I would like to interview the Moodle administrator. This person's impressions could be interesting as she communicates with staff about the facilities of Moodle and helps teachers set up resources for their classes.
  • I would like to review any available usage data for Moodle. Although the data is limited (due to technical issues!) it is possible to view student access of resources - dates/times. This information may provide only a superficial reflection but may help support or refute other evidence.

NB Given the time of year, in the lead up to the summer exam period, I may have to rethink some of the techniques listed, as time will be precious for students and staff.

2 comments:

Bronwyn hegarty said...

yvonne this is very clearly laid out and it is intriguing to see your thinking unfold. This is going to be a very useful evaluation project. As you say it is going to get too big if you are not careful.

In the previous post, you mention looking at learners specifically - engagement and experiences, perceptions, strategies, activity. I suggest you collect data only from students for this project otherwise it will get too big.

That will also enable you to stay close to the two eLearning Guidelines you chose. I have added some methods with the keywords. One or two would be enough to carry out in this project, but you can have more in your plan - just indicate what you will be doing in the first phase for this project.

ST7 Will the e-learning foster students’ curiosity and creativity?
(engagement and experiences - observation, focus group interviews, survey; perceptions - focus group interviews, survey; activity - usage data, observations.)

ST9 Do the technologies employed help students successfully meet the learning outcomes?
(strategies - observations,focus group interviews, survey; activity observations, success in passing the course - grades, competency.)

How do you feel about the approach?

Yvonne said...

Hi Bronwyn

Thanks for your comments/summary. I think I do need to concentrate on one aspect - it's easy to get carried away :)

I have a question about evaluating learning outcomes. Looking at course grades doesn't strike me as very relevant - as Helga pointed out: "it is hard to find a situation where you can compare the 'non blended learning' with the 'blended' learning." However, I thought that I could observe whether the students met the learning objectives for a lesson and whether the technology helped them get there? Is this a suitable goal?

Cheers

Yvonne