TI 0905 - Program Evaluation Basics

Course Description

The Canadian Evaluation Society defines evaluation as “the systematic assessment of the design, implementation, or results of an initiative for the purposes of learning or decision-making” (2014). In a postsecondary context, program evaluation can provide an evidence-based and reflective process to gauge a program’s extent of success in achieving the desired outcomes, validate the contribution of stakeholders, and identify lessons learned. In this workshop, participants will engage with the basic elements of program evaluation, including engaging stakeholders, describing the program, focusing the evaluation design, gathering evidence, and reporting findings. Participants will leave this session with a list of resources for future reading and learning. 

At the end of this session participants will be able to: 

• Define evaluation and other key terms
• Characterize the role of evaluation in a program lifecycle
• Map a basic evaluation cycle 
• Engage with key considerations in ethically planning and implementing an evaluation