Program+Eval+Discussion+2+Prompt


 * Objectives**


 * Analyze elements to be included in educational evaluations
 * Rate an organization's views about evaluation
 * Discuss examples of an organization's evaluation activities

Read pages xv - xix in your textbook.

Complete the questionnaire entitled, //A Short Self-Assessment of Evaluation Readiness//. You should be thinking of an educational organization where you work when you complete the questionnaire. If you are not working in an educational organization, you may think of an educational organization where you have been a previous employee or perhaps a participant (e.g., student, parent, volunteer).

After you have completed the //Short Self-Assessment of Evaluation Readiness// in your textbook, think of some specific examples about your organization. If you have not received your textbook, you can download this section from the publisher's web site (right-click to open link in new window): http://www.sagepub.com/booksProdSampleMaterials.nav?prodId=Book226414.

Participate in the online discussion related to identifying examples of elements you recognized in the self-assessment. Your first and second initial postings to this online discussion question is due by January 21, Friday at 9:59 p.m. Remember that Courseden does its maintenance at 10:00 p.m., so do it a bit earlier.


 * Expectations**

1. **First initial post** includes attached file copy of the completed //Self-Assessment of Evaluation Readiness// with a narrative describing at least 2-3 specific examples of elements from the questionnaire that you observed in your organization.

2. **Second initial post** includes a description at least one item that you see a connection to your organization (for example, Item 16. Evaluation results are shared with all internal partners). Then, describe how your organization is currently operating (refer to the “What Is” column in the questionnaire) and how your organization should be operating (refer to the “What Should Be” column in the questionnaire). What is your organization doing (or not doing) that illustrates the item you selected? What should your organization be doing?

3. You are expected to actively interact and respond to your peers’ postings. You can do this by using the following interactive strategies ---
 * Sharing additional evidence that support the position stated by another student (A)
 * Giving an example of the concept being discussed (B)
 * Asking for clarification (C)
 * Restating a position in different words (D)
 * Introducing a nuance that enriches the original formulation (E)
 * Offering a different opinion (F)

**You are expected to do one of each response strategy.** Make sure you change the subject heading to reflect your last name and the designated letter (e.g., Baylen-A for a response using a "sharing additional evidence that support the position stated by another student")

4. Finally, post a **third initial post** that contains ideas on how the readings and discussions enhance your thinking about your own evaluation project.