Welcome to ED 791BC
Requirements for the Master of Arts degree in Education include preparation of either a thesis (ED 799 -- Plan A) or a project (ED 791A and BC -- Plan B). In ED 791A, your task was to learn the science and art of evaluation:
In ED 791A, your task was to learn the science and art of evaluation:
- identifying and refining evaluative issues appropriate to investigate
- determining an underlying framework for a study
- conducting a review of the literature to support your efforts
- designing and deploying tools that capture data relevant to your driving issues
- analyzing and then reporting (with appropriate interpretation) the results of your effort
In the process, you also familiarized yourself with the structure of an evaluation plan -- a report that clearly describes the objective of the study and the strategies you'll employ to gather data
In ED 791BC, you'll plan and conduct a small-scale evaluation -- an activity that calls for you to:
- develop a viable evaluation plan
- design, test, and then:
- administer questionnaires and/or ... -- administer tests -- conduct interviews or focus groups -- conduct observations -- or complete content analyses (of documents, websites, transcripts, etc.)
- analyze and interpret data
- prepare a final evaluation report.
As we launch our journey, this semester, it might be best to reflect a moment on the words of Michael Quinn Patton (in his 2002 text--Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods): "The art of evaluation involves creating a design and gathering information that is appropriate for a specific situation and particular policy making context. In art, there is no single, ideal standard. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the evaluation beholders include a variety of stakeholders: decision-makers, policy makers, funders, program managers, staff, program participants, and the general public. Any given design is necessarily an interplay of resources, practicalities, methodological choices, creativity, and personal judgments by the people involved."
Semester Outcomes
While enrolled in ED 791A, you learned how to frame different types of evaluation studies. You also became familiar with/aware of the many different ways that data can be gathered. You've had some hands-on practice with data collection, analysis, and interpretation ... and you've conducted a review of the literature on topics or themes of direct relevance to a hypothesized study -- and in so doing, learned how to distinguish "rigorous" from "weak" research efforts.The final products of ED 791BC are a) an evaluation plan that outlines your investigative intent, b) beta-tested (and deployed) tools for operationalizing your blueprint, and c) a final interpretive report that synthesizes your effort -- and identifies any constraints or obstacles you faced.
The evaluation sequence builds on several skills/proficiencies learned in earlier stages of the EDTEC program, including needs assessment, product development, project management, research, and statistical analysis. The goal of this course is to help you develop the essential theoretical and practical skills necessary to perform a process, program, project, or product evaluation in a variety of settings--schools, private industry, government.
Waiver
The university has asked faculty whose students participate in off-campus activities to include in our syllabi a statement about risk, liability and prior approval:
"This course requires students to participate in off-campus activities that might involve some risk to the student, such as exposure to accidents or personal injury. By reading this syllabus, you are agreeing that you are aware of these risks and agree to hold harmless San Diego State University, the State of California, and the trustees of the California State University and Colleges and its officers, employees and agents against all claims, demands, judgments, suits, expenses and costs on account of participation in these off-campus activities. Students using their own vehicles to transport themselves or other students should have current automobile insurance. Finally, on rare occasions, organizations with whom we work might ask students to maintain professional liability insurance at their own expense. SDSU does not require this of our students as a condition for enrollment, but it is something you may wish to consider. One source of such student liability insurance is at 800.621.3008."