Academic literature on the topic 'Higher Educational evaluation'

The article presents the study results of the effectiveness of managing the higher education system using the experience of leading countries of the world. The higher education systems of the United States, the UK and Sweden were chosen as the objects of study representing the North American, European and Scandinavian models of education. The educational organizations of the above countries traditionally hold the leading positions in the world ratings, including the rating of the national education systems Universitas 21, rating of the world's academic universities and ranking of the best universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education version. The official data of the leading world ratings in the field of education were analyzed, as well as the distinctive features of the educational policy of the United States of America, the UK and Sweden were identified, on the basis of which factors ensuring the high efficiency and competitiveness of the higher education system in the global educational service market were stated. Among the main factors are the following: high government spending on the education system, increasing the accessibility of higher education for the population, ensuring high quality educational services, export orientation, etc. The system of indicators has been formed to assess the effectiveness of managing national educational systems. The dynamics of coefficient of higher education propagation in the period within 1970-2014 has been illustrated; the forecast of involving the population of the leading countries into the higher education up to 2050 has been presented. It has been stated that in the developing countries the problem of higher education can be solved due to its accessibility and in the economically developed countries it is solved due to increasing the quality of educational programs, rising the number of educational trajectories and costs.

This paper presents a method for complex evaluation of higher education institutions based on a generalized volume of m-simplex calculation. Every kind of activities of higher education institutions (educational, scientific, innovative, etc.) determines an axis in the multidimensional space used to build the m-simplex. After evaluating higher education institutions in the specified m-activities, the points are put on the respective axis. M-simplex with vertices in these points is built. The generalized volume of this m-simplex, which is calculated based on the Cayley-Menger determinant, defines the integral quantitative assessment of higher education institutions’ activities. To verify the specified method for evaluating higher education institutions, we reviewed well-known evaluation methods and described some types of activities that could be used as a basis for a definition of the axes on which the m-simplex is built. The research component of higher education institutions’ activities is determined by the volume of articles published and their citations in international scientometric databases. The educational component relates to the quality of graduates, their competitiveness in the labour-market. The international component concerns the participation of higher education institutions and their departments in international programs and projects. The described method could be used to monitor the activities of higher education institutions and their separate structural subdivisions. The results of the monitoring are important for a comprehensive evaluation of scientific, educational, international, innovative and other types of activities of higher education institutions in a particular region and the country as a whole. In this article, we have formed a list of indicators, according to which several Ukrainian higher education institutions were evaluated. Besides, the comparison of quantitative evaluations with ratings of higher education institutions in international systems of university activities evaluation was made.

<p class="AbstractText">Although traditional learning was a necessity for centuries and distance learning is sometimes the only way for learning for many learners, the last two decades a supplementary mode to the other modes of learning emerged, the e-learning. However, the last few years, blended learning has dominated as the only mode which combines perfectly the advantages of the other modes of learning.</p><p class="AbstractText">The role of educational content in blended learning is crucial. The key factor to success is high quality educational content, appropriate for learning and able to fulfill course educational aims and objectives. Most of the times it is not an easy task to give feedback to instructors about the online educational content. However, some course characteristics and students’ actions may reflect the quality and quantity of the educational content.</p><p class="AbstractText">This study evaluates the use of blended learning in TEI of West Macedonia with the use of structured questionnaires exposed to the learners. The learners express their attitude about how useful the blended learning is and how this blended means facilitates their studies. It proposes two variables Richness and Usefulness, taking into account statistics concerning the courses. These variables aim to help course instructors and administrators review course usage and find course weaknesses.</p>

Higher education in Ukraine, as one of the prerequisites for national security and competitiveness of the country, needs to be reformed, first of all in the context of improving the quality of educational services. Educational quality studies have confirmed that the educational system does not adequately address the needs of customers and those who receive education. In this regard, the purpose of the article is to study the theoretical aspects of the institutional provision of the quality management process of higher education. Methods of dialectical cognition, comparative analysis, content analysis and a comprehensive approach to the analysis of transformations in the field of higher education are used in this work. A prerequisite for ensuring the quality of higher education is the definition of the hypostasis of the relevant procedures, among which process, functional and evaluation are identified. It is established in the article that the institutional environment in the field of education is an ordered set of legally established norms and informal rules that determine the conditions for the functioning of institutions of higher education, structure the relationship between the subjects of the educational process and are formed within the educational system. The article deals with a wide network of organizations that form the institutional environment of the national higher education, which, according to the levels of government, are divided into international, national, regional and local. It is noted that state agencies for ensuring the quality of education have the largest share in the formation of the institutional environment of the educational sphere. This often leads to a conflict of interest of stakeholders, which can be solved by the introduction of the Institute of Independent Educational Auditors.

The increasingly ritualized and instrumental evaluation of higher education, initiated mainly from above, has resulted in little consideration of what is needed if evaluation is truly to support the development of higher education. Strategies for quality enhancement and accountability rarely consider the distinctive features of higher education development. This article describes the influence of an evaluation strategy that was locally initiated and deliberately involved stakeholders in the process. The evaluation was designed to support the development of an undergraduate medical education programme in Sweden. Based on experiences from the case, I argue that evaluations should, in the context of higher education, be made the responsibility of the teachers. Making the teachers responsible should develop both their ability to work with educational development and to a greater extent enable definitions of educational quality specific to education. The case describes an evaluation strategy that distinctly emanated from the need for knowledge by those who were responsible for the development of an undergraduate medical education programme in Sweden. The programme board established a dialogue with 10 of the stakeholders. The core aim was to learn more about the stakeholders’ expectations and views about the programme, but also to identify important areas for programme development. The dialogue with the stakeholders contributed to the creation of a qualified and nuanced development process and illuminated an evaluation process more associated with learning than quality enhancement. The commitment to cooperation, dialogue and enlightenment was, however, constantly threatened by a higher education culture that is increasingly characterized by productivity and efficiency.

The article discusses the main approaches to quality assurance in higher education in Finland. The relevance of studying the experience for Ukraine is determined. Quality assurance in higher education is governed by the legal framework of the country. External evaluation is carried out by the Finnish Education Evaluation Center (FINEEC). The objectives of the FINEEC are: evaluation of education, teaching, teachers and activities of higher education institutions; development of educational evaluation; evaluation of the results of training in basic education, higher secondary education and training, basic education in the arts. Finnish higher education institutions are primarily responsible for the quality of education. Self-esteem is accomplished through a digital platform. Program accreditation aims to increase international recognition. The author notes that Higher Education Institutions are actively involved in external evaluations. The quality assurance mechanism of education is constantly being improved. The results of the external evaluation are used as a benchmark for internal evaluation. Higher education institutions select a national or international team to audit. Particular attention is paid to the accreditation of programs. The analysis of the quality assurance system of higher education gives grounds to claim that it is an effective organization, which provides the necessary resources (academic and administrative staff, students, scientific and administrative leaders, financial, material, information, scientific, educational resources, etc.); effective activity of relevant bodies that ensure the quality of higher education of the country; designation of audit teams; identifying audit objectives; undergoing appropriate procedure; defining clear evaluation criteria that demonstrate the effectiveness and quality of the evaluation. The outlined approaches and methods of quality assurance of education serve as an example of imitation for quality assurance of higher education of Ukraine and a guideline for its development.

Introduction. Rational nutrition is one of the most important factors of a healthy lifestyle, ensuring the preservation and strengthening of the health of the population. However, in the government document “Fundamentals of the state policy of the Russian Federation in the field of healthy nutrition of the population for the period until 2020” it is noted that despite positive trends in nutrition of the population, the mortality from chronic diseases, the development of which is largely related to the alimentary factor, remains much higher than in most European countries. It is especially important to ensure the rational nutrition of young people, which determines the future development of Russian society. Given the urgency of the problem, we carried out a comprehensive hygienic study aimed at studying the nutrition of students in higher education. Materials and methods. 1820 students from 4 Universities of Ufa of the Republic of Bashkortostan took part in the experiment. The study of the daily diet of students was conducted using the method of 24-hour reproduction. Two computer programs aimed at monitoring of the daily diet of students have been developed, tested and registered. The chemical composition and caloric content of the consumed products was estimated. Results. As a result of the study, the amount of protein in the daily rations of students was found out to increase (for girls - by 8.2%, for boys - by 23.5%). Above the norm, there is also the fat content in food products of young men (by 10.2%). The students of both genders have been diagnosed with carbohydrate deficiency (8.5% below the norm for girls, 10.4% for boys). The daily calorific value of the students was normal. Evaluation of the content of macronutrients in the diet of students revealed excessive intake of sodium (32.7% above the norm for girls and 90.9% for boys), phosphorus (25.1% higher for girls and 65.0 % - for boys). Both girls and boys have a significant calcium deficit: 44.5% and 41.1% lower than the normative indices, respectively. When studying the content of microelements in diets, the girls showed a significant iron deficiency (21.7% below the norm). Deficiency of vitamin C (for girls below the norm by 23.2%, in boys - by 15.2%) was identified. The intake of vitamin B2 is somewhat reduced for female students (by 11.2%). Conclusion. The analysis of the students’ diet revealed a discrepancy with the norms of physiological needs for a number of nutrients. A conceptual medical-pedagogical model aimed at the formation of value orientations towards the healthy lifestyle of students (oriented, among other things, improve the quality of nutrition) has been developed and tested. The analysis of the effectiveness of the medical-pedagogical model is carried out using neural network information technologies that assess the impact of the regime and quality of nutrition on students’ health status.

The paper regards the 42 undergraduate colleges (the independent colleges are not included) of Henan province by the end of 2013 as the object of research, builds the composite indicator rank model of undergraduate colleges' educational resource allocation. On this basis, the authors use the score of integrated factor as the rank of composite indicator. In addition, they cluster to the educational resource allocation of 42 undergraduate colleges by use of cluster analysis under the new factors, and the 42 undergraduate colleges are divided into 4 classes. Finally, according to result of cluster analysis and factor scores, the authors put forward the related suggestion of optimizing educational resource allocation for each cluster colleges.

The current trends observed in 4-year college graduation and retention rates (ACT 2011; 2012; 2013; 2014; Tinto, 2006) demonstrate a need for improvement in student academic achievement outcomes. Overwhelmingly, research finds that the first year in college is the time of greatest risk for student academic failure and drop out. Challenges associated with academic-oriented forms of stress and anxiety (Baillie & Fitzgerald, 2000; Bembenutty, 2008; Cassady, 2010; Collier & Morgan, 2008; Jean, 2010; Pike & Kuh, 2005; Soria & Stebleton, 2012; Turner et al., 2012) coupled with limitations in effective coping strategies (Hofer et al., 1998; Kitsantas et al., 2008; McInerney, 2011; Pintrich & Zusho, 2002; Robbins et al., 2004; Zimmerman & Schunk, 2008) lie at the center of the difficulties these first-year students experience, which ultimately play a significant role in persistence and achievement outcomes. This is particularly true for students from at-risk populations (e.g., first-generation students, ethnic minorities; Balemian & Feng, 2013; Borman & Overman, 2004; Choy, 2001; Engle, 2007; Jones et al., 2010; Pascarella et al., 2004; Toldson, 2012).

The wide body of research confirms that no single factor reliably predicts college academic success or failure, although institutions have traditionally relied upon indicators of prior achievement (i.e., H.S. GPA and college entrance exams) for such inferences (Alarcon & Edwards, 2013; DeBerard et al., 2004; Harackiewicz et al., 2002; Kowitlawakul et al., 2013; Randsell, 2001; Zypher et al., 2007). Rather, it is the collective of factors from environmental, behavioral and personal domains that interact and have the potential to positively or negatively influence college student achievement (Bandura, 1986; 1997; 1999; Lazarus & Folkman, 1984; Snow et al., 1996). As such, the Transactional Stress and Coping model (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) provides a comprehensive model through which the influence and interaction of multiple factors associated with student stress-appraisals, coping responses, and eventual outcomes can be examined within investigations of college academic achievement.

The main purpose of this study was to examine the degree of influence student background characteristics, indicators of prior achievement, anxiety-laden cognitive belief states, and self-regulated learning had on first-year college student achievement. Informed by the Lazarus and Folkman (1984) framework, a proposed academic-oriented stress-appraisal and coping model was tested for viability in predicting student achievement outcomes at the conclusion of their first-year in college. This study investigated research questions specifically associated with: 1) the influence of gender, ethnicity and first-generation status on first-year achievement; 2) the influence of student prior achievement (i.e., H. S. GPA and SAT scores) on first-year achievement; 3) the potential mediating influence of cognitive appraisals on first-year achievement; and 4) the potential moderating role of self-regulated learning in first-year achievement. For this archival study, all student demographic data, measures of prior achievement, first-year college achievement (cumulative GPA) and self-report responses to the LASSI-HS (Weinstein & Palmer, 1990) instrument were accessed from a large sample (N = 29,431) of first-time, first-year students enrolled at a mid-sized, Midwestern 4-year university during years 2004-2012. Using an established model of stress-appraisal and coping (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) within an academic context, five models were tested using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to answer the specific research questions and investigate the utility of the models in predicting first-year college achievement.

The results revealed that although all background factors (i.e., gender, ethnicity, first-generation status) were statistically significant predictors of first-year achievement (GPA), their influence on first-year GPA was minimal. Additionally, prior achievement had a statistically significant, but weak, influence on first-year GPA. Although the direct path relationships for all pre-existing personal factors were statistically significant, the results also indicated anxious cognitive appraisals served a mediating role between these factors and first-year GPA. Thus, a partially mediated model best represented the relationships among these variables. The potential moderating effects of motivational regulation and active coping strategies did not have any meaningful impact in the two self-regulatory coping models tested. Although some statistically significant relationships were observed and provided evidence that background factors, prior achievement, anxious cognitive appraisals and self-regulated learning are associated, their influence was minimal and offered little practical utility in explaining first-year college student achievement.

Overall, the results of the study were unexpected given the strong theoretical and empirical support for the measures utilized in the study and literature supporting meaningful and rather robust relationships among the variables of interest. This atypical finding seemed to be due primarily to the first-year student GPAs, and suggests attending to concerns related to the evaluation of student performance and achievement in the first year of college. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

General education assessment practices and data use were examined among regionally accredited, four-year (baccalaureate degree-granting), private, not-for-profit colleges and universities. An online survey instrument was created, piloted, and sent to 1044 institutions resulting in a 45% response rate. Results indicate general education assessment data most frequently influence changes to the assessment process and course content. Challenges preventing data use include lack of time and campus cultures. Assessment data use varies by the regional accreditor in which an institution is a member. Regular class assignments (embedded assessments) and capstone assignments were the most frequently used assessment methods for which collected data are used. Interviews, portfolios, and locally created tests appear to yield more usable data.

The purpose of this quantitative study was to identify the personal characteristics that predicted the study outcome of students in higher education. Study outcome was defined as a student’s grade point average and re-enrolling for the following semester. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate whether a student’s former education, personality characteristics, orientation on learning, and study approach influenced study outcome. Of these 11 explanatory variables analyzed against study outcome, many were found to have a direct impact on study outcome. The results of this study provided insight into the predictive ability of personal characteristics and former education on study outcome. Implications of the value of using these personal characteristics in program development, advising, and instructional delivery were explored. Significant findings from this research provide the ability to identify probable obstacles to academic success from the beginning of a student’s educational path. These findings could be used to implement proactive programming in higher education to improve student retention.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 2001.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 115 p. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 88-95).

College student success outcomes have become increasingly significant to many stakeholders as student attrition has proven costly for students, institutions of higher education, and the economy (Foss, Foss, Paynton, & Hahn, 2014; Jobe & Lenio, 2014). Historically, a positive relationship between college students who live on-campus and retention has been found (Astin, 1993; Bronkema & Bowman, 2017; Chickering, 1974; Pike & Kuh, 2005; Schudde, 2011; Soria & Taylor Jr., 2016; Walsh & Robinson Kurpius, 2016). However, commuter students now make up most of the current college student population (Skomsvold, 2014). The purpose of this mixed methods study was to advance the understanding of the commuter student phenomenon within the context of the institution. Quantitative data included first- to second-year retention rates and six-year graduation rates for the three most recent cohorts of commuter and residential students at one Midwest university. The first- to second-year retention rate was 63.21% for commuters and 66.07% for residential students; the six-year graduation rate was 35.07% for commuters and 33.68% for residential students. There were not statistically significant differences in the first- to second-year retention rates or six-year graduation rates of commuter and residential students. Qualitative data were gathered using student focus groups and faculty interviews, including 16 and nine participants respectively. Responses were reviewed through the lens of Strange and Banning's (2015) campus ecology model, and four themes emerged: getting from here to there, the double-edged sword of convenience, independence, and it is who we are. Based on the findings, higher education leaders should continue to observe and assess student groups within the context of their own unique institutions.

This study explored international students’ career readiness in a four-year, private university in the Midwest. In order to measure career readiness, the researcher reviewed three factors: financial support, academic major, and country of origin. International students graduating in May 2018 received a survey from the researcher on career readiness. A total of 38 students completed the survey. The final question of the survey was an invitation to participate in an individual interview and/or a focus group. The qualitative data from the survey showed that financial support impacted international students’ career readiness. International students with financial support were more prepared to enter the workforce than students who did not have financial support. Academic majors also impacted career readiness. Students with Business majors pointed out that due to the numerous different fields within the field of Business, it was difficult to show proficiency in one area needed by an employer. Students pursuing other degrees such as Science and Education had a clear idea of the steps to take after graduation and what employers were looking for in new graduates. Country of origin did not have an impact on career readiness as all international students pointed out the difficulties and uncertainties met after graduation due to the immigration restrictions on student and work visas in the United States.

Background: Online learning is now at the forefront of education, making a college degree more accessible than ever before. With online enrollments at an all-time high, quality instruction is essential to the sustainability of the institution and ultimately affects student enrollment and retention. Research exists on the effectiveness of syllabus design and the use of inventories, but the gap in the existing literature lies in combining the two.

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to analyze possible relationships between syllabus design and student achievement, student engagement, student satisfaction, faculty instruction, and faculty satisfaction.

Research Design: An Online Syllabus Inventory (OSI) was developed as an evaluative and instructional tool and served as the independent variable for syllabus design between administration of control and experimental courses.

Data Collection and Analysis: This mixed methods study synthesized quantitative and qualitative data gathered from 28 online courses and 379 students. Data sources included student analytics from a learning management system, course evaluations from a student information system, and feedback from study participants.

Findings: In the domain of student achievement, a significant difference was found between two control and experimental courses. In the domain of student engagement, a significant difference was found in six courses. Among the sample, course-level factors were found to be significantly different in the domain of student satisfaction. No significant difference was found among instructor-level factors.

The purpose of this study was to complete a mixed-methods comparative analysis of first-generation and non-first-generation students in the Midwest to determine potential differences between students’ college satisfaction, retention factors, college selection, college experience, and deciding factors on attending college at private, public, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Primary Researcher believed that a students’ classifications (first-generation or non-first-generation) and the type of university that they chose to attend would yield different results in their overall college experiences. The Researcher conducted the study in different settings and did not compare by the type of university or the type of students who attended the universities. The previous research was conducted in different regions. The Primary Researcher was not able to find extensive then-current research on first-generation and non-first-generation students in the Midwest. The results found did not show that being a first-generation or a non-first-generation student at a Historically Black College and University, public, or private university made a difference. The Primary Researcher found that overall, first-generation students had a more positive perception of their college experience than their non-first-generation peers.

Student retention in higher education is currently one area most colleges are looking to improve and build upon (Baer & Norris, 2016). Higher education institutions in the United States have been under increased scrutiny from lawmakers and accrediting agencies to provide an affordable education for a diverse population for jobs in a highly technical economy (Boateng, Plopper, & Keith, 2015; Slanger, Berg, Fisk, & Hanson, 2015). Some colleges and universities are exploring programs to engage the modern student through the creation of learning communities, first-year programming, and interventions to bridge the gap of those students who are highly unlikely to persist to graduation (Alarcon & Edwards, 2012; Selingo, 2015). This study focused on an all-male retention program in one private liberal arts college over an eight-year period where invasive interventions were introduced in year five in an effort to enhance the overall program. This quantitative study was designed to determine if there was (1) a difference in the grade point average between male, first-time freshmen who did not receive specific invasive interventions as compared to male, first-time freshmen who received specific invasive interventions; (2) a difference in the number of male, first-time freshmen who were removed from academic probation and did not receive specific invasive interventions as compared to male, first-time freshmen who received specific invasive interventions; and (3) a difference in retention rates of male, first-time freshmen who did not receive specific invasive interventions as compared to male, first-time freshmen who received interventions. Data obtained from the analyses were determined not statistically significant. Future studies should be designed to obtain additional information on what aids students retention, potentially using a mixed method approach.

Abstract This paper aims to analyse the configuration of factors contributing to research uptake in education, with a particular focus on the Romanian context. One subsequent objective is to identify mechanisms for developing better synergies, not only between educational practice and research but also between these and educational policy. In doing so, the paper argues for shared responsibility among higher education institutions and policymakers for improving the educational system. The paper relies on results from a survey administered to a selected sample of civil servants in the Romanian central administration involved in the planning, evaluation and implementation of public policies in the field of education. Our results address the mechanisms of research uptake and utilisation by the central administration (communication and dissemination strategies, clarity, access and availability of research data, policymakers’ preferences for certain research topics) and the perceived relationship between researchers and policymakers (for example, the strength and nature of the relationship, or policymakers’ general involvement in research studies). The findings of our study pave the way for an in-depth analysis of organizational factors likely to affect research utilisation: research culture and engagement with researchers; the political and managerial context likely to promote research transfer; and the financial context needed to foster quality results.

This paper outlines the experience of evaluating the impact of educational development in Chilean higher education drawing on the example of the Universidad Católica de Temuco. The aim is to demonstrate the importance of a implementing a robust and flexible evaluation and impact framework to identify the effectiveness of education development programs. The rationale and processes that informed the development of the evaluation and impact framework are described and then illustrated with one example, the Faculty Learning Communities (FLC) program. The example shows how the overall framework is contextualised in a specific program, drawing on indicators and outcomes to demonstrate its flexibility and robustness. The rich evidence gathered has been used to inform the educational developers on the effectiveness of their work, and the faculty participants on their knowledge and practice. Just as importantly, it has informed the institution about the impact of the programs and student engagement. The evaluation framework provides a Chilean example informed by international best practice.

There have allways been old persons, but their number has unprecedentedly grown and it is expected to overtake any other age group in contemporary developed societies. Instead of taking this process as a success of mankind, ageism grows on a par with ageing. It is well documented how standard educational models fail to correct implicit ageistic stereotypes, thus new emerging theoretical models such as generational intelligence and identity in old age put forward experiential methodologies designed to educate both explicit and implicit ageistic stereotypes. Both theoretical models incorporate the subjective first-person perspective on ageing, which complements the standard university curriculum for ageing-related professsionals in health, social or educational sectors. The practical implementation of these educational models involve experiential methodologies such as life stories. A crucial educational element in the practical success of this methodology lies in understanding intergenerational education not only as a gathering of generations, but as the intentional production and evaluation of educational ends. The paper exemplifies these methodologies and contrasts their success in dealing with the complexities involved in educating against explicit and implicit agesitic stereotypes in intergenerational relations. Therefore, the key to intergenerationality lies less in its "generational" element as in its "inter" element.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of an educational game about cardiac cycle, used as replacing or complementing activity for traditional teaching methods, on the learning of physiology students by using different evaluation approaches. The comparisons were made between the grades obtained in pre- and post-tests applied before and after the use of the game, and between the number of correct answers of groups that performed an activity with the puzzle or had a lecture or reading, in the same or different careers. In all these approaches, the students who performed the activity with the educational game had a better performance in the assessment tests in comparison with those who did not use the educational game. This effect was observed when the puzzle replaced a lecture or reading activity and also when it was used as a complementary activity after a previous lecture. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that one educational game used as active teaching-learning method can improve the students’ learning, and that its effect on student´s learning can be evaluated by different approaches by the teacher during the classroom routine.

Educational system assessment allows the evaluation of some learningoutcomes and permits the continuous monitoring of educational processes.The aim of this study is to explore the ways used to assess and evaluateschool systems and universities and students’ learning outcomes in Italy andFinland, two important educational realities as shown in PISA (Programmefor International Student Assessment) results (OECD, 2019). The attention isfocused on common and uncommon practices employed in each country andon perceptions that the educational system assessment creates in those whoevaluate and in those evaluated. Ten stakeholders from Italy and Finlandparticipated in focus groups or interviews one to one audio-taped,transcribed and analysed using qualitative methods. The results underlinethat the evaluation of school systems and universities helps build a largedatabase and that the evaluation process have to be made with trust betweenstakeholders involved, with innovation and awareness. The generalacceptance is increasing: stakeholders from two contexts consideredhighlight that, in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness, schoolsystems and universities need a formative assessment and evaluation inwhich everyone is involved from central educational institutions to teachersand students.

E-learning has been adopted for several years in Greece and abroad, and it is considered an integral part of blended learning. E-learning systems accumulate a vast amount of data which may be very valuable. The educational organizations may exploit the power provided by e-learning, if they analyze the usage and the content of the courses. An early assessment of the of e-courses use may provide useful information to the educators, in order to make educational interventions in their teaching material. This study suggests that the evaluation of e-learning usage may be carried out with the assesment of variables and metrics related to teacher training material and student trafficking. We propose three metrics which are combined efficiently, in order to quantify the quality characteristics of the courses and offer useful insights about the educational material and e-learning usage. This case study was implemented in the e-class platform of a Greek Higher Education educational institute. This platform created by the Greek Universities Network (GUNET) is very popular in Greece, since the majority of the Greek universities have adopted it. The results of our study confirmed the validity of our suggested approach, and highlighted the need for a more learner-centered focus and active participation of the students.

Nowadays learning methods in higher education are under a constant review process. Applications focused on Blended-Learning allow to speed-up the learning process; this facilitates the design and implementation of interactive resources in the classroom. The present study shows an experience developed with engineering master students. Flipped Teaching approach has achieved significant mention in academic circles in recent years. Undoubtedly, the implementation of this educational methodology improves students’ motivation and increases their participation in the classroom. In this paper different Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tools and multimedia resources that facilitate the teaching sessions are presented. Its use has been simple and intuitive. These educational tools increase the skills, abilities and competences acquired by students. The objective is to achieve more interactive learning. Students positively value this activities related to the Flipped Learning. In addition, students prefer teaching-learning procedures more dynamic, flexible, creative, participatory and with continuous evaluation. Although the general impression is that they need more effort and more dedication, compared to the Traditional Teaching. Every time there is a greater number of educational tools and electronic devices for higher education. However, its use must be correct so that it can be useful in training students.

Online videos have gained huge popularity among people seeking for entertainment, and increasingly also among learners. People seek for tips in videos, ranging widely from improving language skills to bike reparation, or from solving mathematical equations to indoor decoration. At the same time teachers are facing challenges of producing professional videos that can support learners to learn the variety of topics. Teachers at the higher education institutes are often professionals in presentation skills in classrooms, but can face challenges when presenting in videos. In this paper we present a process for improving skills needed to produce educational videos. The process starts from the assumption of often explicit question by the teacher: “How can I produce professional educational videos?” The process includes identifying main challenges teachers face, and continues with a series of hands-on workshops targeted to develop each of the skills followed by the video production itself. We report also an evaluation of the process with teachers from the Aalto University, discuss the implications and resulting categorization of production models.

In 2016/2017, AQ Austria conducted external evaluations at ten universities of teacher education, which had to be completed for the first time by 1 October 2017 in accordance with the Higher Education Evaluation Ordinance (HEV). For a further three universities it provided individual services within the framework of such evaluations. AQ Austria was commissioned by the universities of teacher education to conduct the evaluations. In this report, AQ Austria presents selected findings and assessments of the provisions for quality assurance at universities of teacher education that it gained in the course of conducting the evaluations.

Attention to mixed methods studies research has increased in recent years, particularly among funding agencies that increasingly require a mixed methods approach for program evaluation. At the same time, researchers operating within large-scale, rapid-turnaround research projects are faced with the reality that collection and analysis of large amounts of qualitative data typically require an intense amount of project resources and time. However, practical examples of efficiently collecting and handling high-quality qualitative data within these studies are limited. More examples are also needed of procedures for integrating the qualitative and quantitative strands of a study from design to interpretation in ways that can facilitate efficiencies. This paper provides a detailed description of the strategies used to collect and analyze qualitative data in what the research team believed to be an efficient, high-quality way within a team-based mixed methods evaluation study of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) high-school education. The research team employed an iterative approach to qualitative data analysis that combined matrix analyses with Microsoft Excel and the qualitative data analysis software program ATLAS.ti. This approach yielded a number of practical benefits. Selected preliminary results illustrate how this approach can simplify analysis and facilitate data integration.

Social skills are essential to building empowered and cohesive communities in ethnic diversity. In a world with massive population movements and growing anti-immigrant sentiments, schools stand out as important platforms to instill key social skills into our children to build inter-ethnic cohesion. Achieving this requires the implementation of rigorously tested educational actions. This brief provides the evaluation results of a particular educational program that was implemented in a high-stakes context where the ethnic composition of schools changed abruptly due to a massive refugee influx. The program significantly lowered peer violence and ethnic segregation in schools, and improved prosociality in children.

This report describes the design, implementation and outcomes of the initial version of the NSF-funded Journey to El Yunque curriculum, released in 2005. As formative evaluators, the role of SRI International was to document the development of the curriculum and to collect empirical evidence on the impact of the intervention on student achievement. The evaluation answers four research questions: How well does the Journey to El Yunque curriculum and accompanying assessments align with the National Science Education Standards for content and inquiry? How do teachers rate the effectiveness of the professional development workshop in teaching them to use the Journey to El Yunque curriculum and assessment materials? How do teachers implement the Journey to El Yunque curriculum? To what extent does the Journey to El Yunque curriculum increase students’ understanding ofecology and scientific inquiry abilities? The evaluators concluded that Journey to El Yunque is a well-designed curriculum and assessment replacement unit that addresses important science content and inquiry skills. The curriculum and assessments are aligned to life science content standards and key ecological concepts, and materials cover a broad range of these standards and concepts. Journey to El Yunque students scored significantly higher on the posttest than students learning ecology from traditional means with effect size 0.20.

Findings from the first two years of a 3-year evaluation of the PROMISE Model pilot are presented in this policy brief that seeks to understand the extent to which school principals know, understand, and act upon research-based principles for English Language Learners (ELL) and their intersection with the California Professional Standards for Educational Leadership related to promoting ELL success. Surveys and focus groups were used to gather data from school principals at fifteen schools throughout Southern California including early childhood, elementary, middle, and high schools. School principals identified several areas where PROMISE serves as a beacon of hope in promoting and validating critical conversations around a collective vision for success for all learners including ELL, bilingual/biliterate, and monolingual students. Educational and policy recommendations are provided for the following areas: 1) recruitment and selection of personnel and professional development; 2) accountability, communication and support; and 3) university-based educational leadership programs. This policy brief concludes with a call for school principals to facilitate the development, implementation, and stewardship of a vision for learning that highlights success for English Learners and shared by the school and district community.

Grow-Your-Own (GYO) Teacher Education programs that aim to diversify and strengthen the teacher workforce must provide high-quality learning experiences that support the success and retention of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) teacher candidates and bilingual teacher candidates. Such work requires a holistic and systematic approach to conceptualizing instruction and mentoring that is both linguistically and culturally sustaining. To guide this work in the Master of Arts in Teaching in Clinically Based Elementary program at Oregon State University’s College of Education, we conducted a review of relevant literature and frameworks related to linguistically responsive and/or sustaining teaching or mentoring practices. We developed a set of ten mentoring competencies for school-based cooperating/clinical teachers and university supervisors. They are grouped into the domains of: Facilitating Linguistically and Culturally Sustaining Instruction, Engaging with Mentees, Recognizing and Interrupting Inequitable Practices and Policies, and Advocating for Equity. We also developed a set of twelve instructional competencies for teacher candidates as well as the university instructors who teach them. The instructional competencies are grouped into the domains of: Engaging in Self-reflection and Taking Action, Learning About Students and Re-visioning Instruction, Creating Community, and Facilitating Language and Literacy Development in Context. We are currently operationalizing these competencies to develop and conduct surveys and focus groups with various GYO stakeholders for the purposes of ongoing program evaluation and improvement, as well as further refinement of these competencies.

The summative external evaluation report described the program's impact on faculty and students participating in recitation sessions and active teaching professional development sessions over two years. Student persistence and retention in engineering courses continue to be a challenge in undergraduate education, especially for students underrepresented in engineering disciplines. The program's goal was to use peer-facilitated instruction in core engineering courses known to have high attrition rates to retain underrepresented students, especially women, in engineering to diversify and broaden engineering participation. Knowledge generated around using peer-facilitated instruction at two-year colleges can improve underrepresented students' success and participation in engineering across a broad range of institutions. Students in the program participated in peer-facilitated recitation sessions linked to fundamental engineering courses, such as engineering analysis, statics, and dynamics. These courses have the highest failure rate among women and underrepresented minority students. As a mixed-methods evaluation study, student engagement was measured as students' comfort with asking questions, collaboration with peers, and applying mathematics concepts. SPSS was used to analyze pre-and post-surveys for statistical significance. Qualitative data were collected through classroom observations and focus group sessions with recitation leaders. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with faculty members and students to understand their experiences in the program. Findings revealed that women students had marginalization and intimidation perceptions primarily from courses with significantly more men than women. However, they shared numerous strategies that could support them towards success through the engineering pathway. Women and underrepresented students perceived that they did not have a network of peers and faculty as role models to identify within engineering disciplines. The recitation sessions had a positive social impact on Hispanic women. As opportunities to collaborate increased, Hispanic womens' social engagement was expected to increase. This social engagement level has already been predicted to increase women students' persistence and retention in engineering and result in them not leaving the engineering pathway. An analysis of quantitative survey data from students in the three engineering courses revealed a significant effect of race and ethnicity for comfort in asking questions in class, collaborating with peers outside the classroom, and applying mathematical concepts. Further examination of this effect for comfort with asking questions in class revealed that comfort asking questions was driven by one or two extreme post-test scores of Asian students. A follow-up ANOVA for this item revealed that Asian women reported feeling excluded in the classroom. However, it was difficult to determine whether these differences are stable given the small sample size for students identifying as Asian. Furthermore, gender differences were significant for comfort in communicating with professors and peers. Overall, women reported less comfort communicating with their professors than men. Results from student metrics will inform faculty professional development efforts to increase faculty support and maximize student engagement, persistence, and retention in engineering courses at community colleges. Summative results from this project could inform the national STEM community about recitation support to further improve undergraduate engineering learning and educational research.