Description
Ruhe (evaluation studies, U. of British Columbia, Canada) and Zumbo (measurement, research methodology, and statistics, U. of British Columbia) outline how to evaluate the effectiveness of distance education and e-learning courses. They propose a professional approach that is rooted in the history of evaluation theory in distance education and e-learning and provide a model that can be adapted to individual courses. They compare evaluation models in distance education with those in program evaluation, show their differences in terms of scientific evidence, underlying values, and unintended consequences, provide guidelines for using a model based on research scientist Sam Messick's framework, and describe the results of the model as applied to two courses. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Read More
With the rapid proliferation of distance education and e-learning courses, the need is growing for a comprehensive, professional approach to evaluating their effectiveness. This indispensable book offers a road map to guide evaluation practice in these innovative learning environments. Providing practical, step-by-step guidelines and tools for conducting evaluation studies'including how to deal with stakeholders, develop surveys and interview protocols, collect other scientific evidence, and analyze and blend mixed-methods data'the work also features a template for writing high-quality reports. The ""unfolding model"" developed by the authors draws on Messick's influential assessment framework and applies it to program evaluation. Two case studies of actual programs (a distance learning course and an e-learning course) demonstrate the unfolding model in action.
Read Less