Levels and techniques of evaluation in educational technology

Contexts for Evaluating Educational Software

In their research, Jones and others of “Contexts for evaluating educational software” studied the difference between the software evaluation practices in the educational community and (human–computer interaction) community. These differences were examined by looking at usability and learning and by considering the use of a particular framework for CAL (Computer Assisted Learning) evaluation. The Jigsaw evaluation model used by the researchers to measure the usability of software and its effects on learning and to increase the teachers' knowledge about the integration between those two variables. Three main levels were focused by this model. The first level concerned on four tasks: specific learning tasks, general learning tasks, application operational tasks and system operational tasks. Integration within the learning and operational tasks was focused on the second level of the Jigsaw evaluation model. The integration between the learning and operational tasks was represented by the third level of the model. In order to examine the effectiveness and quality CAL development, the researchers conducted a framework that focused on the context, interaction, and attitudes and outcomes. The three domains of the framework focused on three main points: Rationale, Data and Methods. Rationale an example for the Context domain was described in term of the context aims and use. Moreover, there were many methods used to measure the CAL context: Interview CAL designers, course team members, and analyze policy documents. In addition to those methods, researchers depend on Designers and course team’s aims, policy documents and meeting records as supporting data for the context domain evaluation. The evaluation process designed and conducted in an iterative manner ;where the materials tried on students and then refined according to students' feedback and then tried again and the cycle continued for as long as necessary.

Powerpoint Presentation:
http://www.slideshare.net/athra29/contexts-for-evaluating-educational-software

References:
A. Jones, , E. Scanlon, C. Tosunoglu, E. Morris, S. Ross,
P. Butcher, J. Greenberg.(1999). Contexts for evaluating educational software, Interacting with Computers.

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