what is evaluation process in education

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Evaluation in Education: Meaning, Types, Importance, Principles & Characteristics

Let’s start with the definition of evaluation in this article before we delve into evaluation in Education, the meaning as well as types and its importance.

What exactly is evaluation?

Evaluation is a procedure that reviews a program critically. It is a process that involves careful gathering and evaluating of data on the actions, features, and consequences of a program. Its objective is to evaluate programs, improve program effectiveness, and influence programming decisions.

The efficacy of program interventions is assessed through educational evaluation. These often address the learning, such as reading; emotional, behavioral, and social development, such as anti-bullying initiatives; or wider subjects, such as whole-school system improvements such as inclusive education. Within the research community, debates have raged regarding methodology, specifically the use of qualitative approaches in evaluating program efficacy vs quantitative ones. There has also been significant political participation, with certain governments adopting stances on the sort of evidence necessary for assessment studies, with a focus on randomized controlled trials in particular (RCTs).

The initial goal of program assessment is to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. This can be done on a small basis, such as a school studying the implementation of a new reading scheme, but it can also be done on a big scale, at the district, school, state (local authority ), or national level. The availability of national or state data collections, such as those from the United Kingdom. The Government’s National Pupil Database and its student-level School Census provide opportunities for large-scale evaluations of educational interventions, such as curricular reforms or the differential development of types of kids (e.g., the relationship between identification of special educational needs and ethnicity). However, the importance of evaluating both the effectiveness of the program itself and its implementation is becoming increasingly recognized.

Other definitions of Evaluation by other authors;

“The technique of obtaining and assessing information changes in the conduct of all children as they advance through school,” Hanna says.

According to Muffat, “evaluation is a continual process that is concerned with more than the official academic accomplishment of students.” It is viewed in terms of the individual’s growth in terms of desired behavioral change in connection to his feelings, thoughts, and actions.”

Evaluation is a crucial issue in both the first and second years of B.Ed. Every B.Ed. student should comprehend the notion of evaluation and assessment.

Types of Evaluation in Education

Formative Evaluation
Summative Evaluation
Prognostic Evaluation
Diagnostic Evaluation
Norm Referenced Evaluation
Criterion Referenced Evaluation
Quantitative Evaluation
Formative evaluation

We would be explaining each of these types of evaluation in education.

1. Formative Evaluation

This form of evaluation takes place during the instructional process. Its goal is to offer students and teachers with continual feedback.
This aids in making modifications to the instruction process as needed. It considers smaller and autonomous curricular sections, and pupils are ultimately assessed through assessments.
It is assessing the kids’ understanding and which part of their work needs more work. A teacher can assess their pupils while educating them on a class or a lesson or after the topic has been completed to see whether or not modifications in teaching approach are required.
It is really beneficial to make modifications or timely corrections in pupils and teaching style.

2. Summative Evaluation

Summative evaluation occurs at the end of the school year. It assesses the success of objectives and changes in a student’s general personality at the end of the session.
Summative evaluations address a wide range of aspects of learning. It considers formative assessment ratings and student tests after course completion to provide final grades and comments to students.
Summative evaluation is used to grade students.

3. Prognostic Evaluation

Prognostic evaluations are used to estimate and anticipate a person’s future career.
A prognostic evaluation adds a new dimension to the discoveries of an assessment with analysis of talents and potentials: the concerned person’s future growth, as well as the necessary circumstances, timeline, and constraints.

4. Diagnostic Evaluation

As the phrase implies, diagnosis is the process of determining the root cause of a problem. During this examination, a teacher attempts to diagnose each student on many characteristics in order to determine the caliber of pupils.
A diagnostic assessment is a type of pre-evaluation in which teachers assess students’ strengths, weaknesses, knowledge, and abilities prior to the start of the teaching learning process.
It necessitates specifically designed diagnostic tests as well as several additional observational procedures.
It is useful in developing the course and curriculum based on the learner’s ability.

5. Norm Referenced Evaluation

This type of assessment is centered on evaluating students’ relative performance, either by comparing the outputs of individual learners within the group being evaluated or by juxtaposing their performance to that of others of comparable age, experience, and background.
It influences the placement of pupils inside the group.

6. Criterion Referenced Evaluation

Criterion Reference Evaluation explains a person’s performance in relation to a predetermined performance benchmark.
It describes a student’s performance accuracy, or how well the individual performs in relation to a given standard.
In other words, it’s like comparing a student’s performance to a predetermined benchmark.

7. Quantitative Evaluation

Quantitative assessments employ scientific instruments and measures. The outcomes can be tallied or measured.

Quantitative Evaluation Techniques or Tools;

Performance evaluation

8. Formative Evaluation

Qualitative observations, which are more subjective than qualitative evaluation, are described in science as any observation made utilizing the five senses.
It entails value assessment.

9. Qualitative Evaluation Techniques or Tools

Cumulative Records
The school keeps such statistics to demonstrate pupils’ overall improvement.

10. Anecdotal evidence

These records preserve descriptions of noteworthy events or student efforts.

11. Observation

This is the most popular method of qualitative student assessment. This is the only method for assessing classroom interaction.

12. Checklist

Checklists specify precise criteria and allow instructors and students to collect data and make judgments about what pupils know and can perform in connection to the outcomes. They provide systematic methods for gathering data on certain behaviors, knowledge, and abilities.

Difference Between Evaluation and Assessment

Functions and importance of evaluation in education.

The primary goal of the teaching, learning process is to enable the student to obtain the desired learning outcomes. The learning objectives are established during this phase, and then the learning progress is reviewed on a regular basis using tests and other assessment tools.

The evaluation process’s role may be described as follows:

Evaluation aids in the preparation of instructional objectives: The evaluation results may be used to fix the learning goals expected from the classroom discussion.
What kind of information and comprehension should the learner gain?
What skill should they demonstrate?
What kind of interest and attitude should they cultivate?

Only when we determine the instructional objectives and communicate them clearly in terms of expected learning outcomes will this be achievable. Only a thorough evaluation method allows us to create a set of ideal instructional objectives.

The evaluation method aids in analyzing the learner’s requirements: It is critical to understand the needs of the learners during the teaching-learning process. The instructor must be aware of the knowledge and abilities that the pupils must learn.

Evaluation aids in delivering feedback to students: An evaluation procedure assists the instructor in determining the students’ learning issues. It contributes to the improvement of many school procedures. It also assures proper follow-up service.

Evaluation aids in the preparation of program materials: A continuous succession of learning sequences is referred to as programmed instruction. First, a limited quantity of teaching content is offered, followed by a test to respond to the instructional material. The following feedback is given based on the accuracy of the response given. Thus, programmed learning is impossible without an adequate evaluation method.

Evaluation aids in curriculum development:

Curriculum creation is an essential component of the educational process. Data from evaluations allow for curriculum creation, determining the efficacy of new methods, and identifying areas that require change. The evaluation also aids in determining the effectiveness of an existing curriculum. Thus, assessment data aids in the development of new curriculum as well as the evaluation of existing curriculum.

Evaluation aids in communicating the development of students to their parents: A structured evaluation approach gives an objective and complete view of each student’s development. This comprehensive nature of the assessment procedure enables the instructor to report to the parents on the pupil’s overall growth. This sort of objective information about the student serves as the foundation for the most successful collaboration between parents and instructors.

7. Evaluation data are quite valuable in advice and counseling: Educational, vocational, and personal guidance all require evaluation methods. To help students address difficulties in the educational, vocational, and personal domains, the counselor must have an objective understanding of the students’ talents, interests, attitudes, and other personal traits. An successful assessment system aids in the formation of a complete image of the student, which leads to appropriate guiding and counseling.

8 . Evaluation data aids in good school administration: Evaluation data assists administrators in determining the amount to which the school’s objectives are met, determining the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum, and planning special school programs.

Evaluation data are useful in school research: Research is required to improve the effectiveness of the school program. Data from evaluations aid in research fields such as comparative studies of different curricula, efficacy of different approaches, effectiveness of different organizational designs, and so on.

Principles of Evaluation

The following concepts guide evaluation:

Continuity principle: Evaluation is a continual process that continues as long as the student is involved in education. Evaluation is an important part of the teaching-learning process. Whatever the student learns should be examined on a daily basis. Only then will the student have a greater mastery of the language.
The comprehensiveness principle: states that we must evaluate all parts of the learner’s personality. It is concerned with the child’s whole development.
The principle of Objectives: states that evaluation should always be based on educational objectives. It should aid in determining where there is a need for revamping and stopping the learner’s behavior.
Child-Centeredness Principle: The child is at the center of the evaluation process. The child’s conduct is the focal point for evaluation. It assists a teacher in determining a child’s grasping ability and the effectiveness of teaching content.
The principle of broadness: states that evaluation should be wide enough to encompass all areas of life.
Principle of Application: The child may learn many things during the teaching and learning process. However, they may be ineffective in his daily life. If he can’t utilize it, it’s pointless to look for it. It can be determined by assessment. The evaluation determines if a student is better able to use his knowledge and understanding in various circumstances in order to thrive in life.

8 Evaluation characteristics in education

Process what is ongoing: Evaluation is a never-ending process. It co-leads with the teaching-learning process.
Comprehensive: Evaluation is comprehensive because it encompasses everything that can be reviewed.
Child-Centered: Evaluation is a child-centered technique that emphasizes the learning process rather than the teaching process.
Remedial: Although evaluation remarks on the outcome, it is not a remedy. The purpose of an evaluation is to correct problems.
Cooperative Process: Evaluation is a collaborative process that involves students, instructors, parents, and peer groups.
Teaching Approaches: The effectiveness of various teaching methods is assessed.
Common Practice: Evaluation is a typical technique for the optimal mental and physical development of the kid.
Multiple Aspects: It is concerned with pupils’ whole personalities.

In summary, Evidence of efficacy, often from random controlled trials, and the effectiveness of project planning is required for the evaluation of educational programs. Program evaluations must prove that the program can perform under ideal controlled situations and that it will work when carried out on a broad scale in community settings to order to give valuable data to support policy. To address these many dimensions of effectiveness, evaluation benefits from a combined approaches strategic plan.

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Evaluation in education: meaning, principles and functions.

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After reading this article you will learn about:- 1. Meaning of Evaluation 2. Principles of Evaluation 3. Functions.

Meaning of Evaluation:

Evaluation is a broader term than the Measurement. It is more comprehensive than mere inclusive than the term Measurement. It goes ahead of measurement which simply indicates the numerical value. It gives the value judgement to the numerical value. It includes both tangible and intangible qualities.

Different educationist has defined evaluation as following:

James M. Bradfield:

Evaluation is the assignment of symbols to phenomenon, in order to characterize the worth or value of a phenomenon, usually with reference to some cultural or scientific standards.

Thorndike and Hegan:

The term evaluation is closely related to measurement. It is in some respect, inclusive including informal and intuitive judgement of pupil’s progress. Evaluation is describing something in term of selected attributes and judging the degree of acceptability or suitability of that which has been described.

Norman E. Gronlund and Robert L. Linn:

Evaluation is a systematic process of collecting, analysing and interpreting information to determine the extent to which pupil’s are achievement instructional objectives.

The process of ascertaining or judging the value or amount of something by use of a standard of standard of appraisal includes judgement in terms of internal evidence and external criteria. From the above definitions it can b said that evaluations a much more comprehensive and inclusive term than the measurement and test. A test is a set of question measurement is assigning numbers to the results of test according to some specific rules on the other hand evaluation adds value judgement.

For example when we say Rohan secured 45 numbers in Arithmetic. It just indicates ‘how much’ Rohan has successfully answered. It does not include any qualitative description i.e. ‘how good’ he is in Arithmetic. Evaluation on the other hand includes both quantitative description (measurement) and qualitative description (Non measurement) along with value judgements. This relationship between measurement, non measurement and evaluation can be illustrated with the help of following diagram (1.1).

Principles of Evaluation:

Evaluation is a systematic process of determining to what extent instructional objectives has been achieved. Therefore evaluation process must be carried out with effective techniques.

The following principles will help to make the evaluation process an effective one:

1. It must be clearly stated what is to be evaluated:

A teacher must be clear about the purpose of evaluation. He must formulate the instructional objectives and define them clearly in terms of student’s observable behaviour. Before selecting the achievement measures the intended learning out comes must be specified clearly.

2. A variety of evaluation techniques should be used for a comprehensive evaluation:

It is not possible to evaluate all the aspect of achievement with the help of a single technique. For the better evaluation the techniques like objective tests, essay tests, observational techniques etc. should be used. So that a complete’ picture of the pupil achievement and development can be assessed.

3. An evaluator should know the limitations of different evaluation techniques:

Evaluation can be done with the help of simple observation or highly developed standardized tests. But whatever the instrument or technique may be it has its own limitation. There may be measurement errors. Sampling error is a common factor in educational and psychological measurements. An achievement test may not include the whole course content. Error in measurement can also be found due to students guessing on objective tests. Error is also found due to incorrect interpretation of test scores.

4. The technique of evaluation must be appropriate for the characteristics or performance to be measured:

Every evaluation technique is appropriate for some uses and inappropriate for another. Therefore while selecting an evaluation technique one must be well aware of the strength and limitations of the techniques.

5. Evaluation is a means to an end but not an end in itself:

The evaluation technique is used to take decisions about the learner. It is not merely gathering data about the learner. Because blind collection of data is wastage of both time and effort. But the evaluation is meant for some useful purpose.

Functions of Evaluation:

The main aim of teaching learning process is to enable the pupil to achieve intended learning outcomes. In this process the learning objectives are fixed then after the instruction learning progress is periodically evaluated by tests and other evaluation devices.

The function of evaluation process can be summarized as following:

1. Evaluation helps in preparing instructional objectives:

Learning outcomes expected from class-room discussion can be fixed by using evaluation results.

What type of knowledge and understanding the student should develop?

What skill they should display?

What interest and attitude they should develop?

Can only be possible when we shall identify the instructional objectives and state them clearly in terms of intended learning outcomes. Only a good evaluation process helps us to fix up a set of perfect instructional objectives.

2. Evaluation process helps in assessing the learner’s needs:

In the teaching learning process it is very much necessary to know the needs of the learners. The instructor must know the knowledge and skills to be mastered by the students. Evaluation helps to know whether the students possess required knowledge and skills to proceed with the instruction.

3. Evaluation help in providing feed back to the students:

An evaluation process helps the teacher to know the learning difficulties of the students. It helps to bring about an improvement in different school practices. It also ensures an appropriate follow-up service.

4. Evaluation helps in preparing programmed materials:

Programmed instruction is a continuous series of learning sequences. First the instructional material is presented in a limited amount then a test is given to response the instructional material. Next feedback is provided on the basis of correctness of response made. So that without an effective evaluation process the programmed learning is not possible.

5. Evaluation helps in curriculum development:

Curriculum development is an important aspect of the instructional process. Evaluation data enable the curriculum development, to determine the effectiveness of new procedures, identify areas where revision is needed. Evaluation also helps to determine the degree to what extent an existing curriculum is effective. Thus evaluation data are helpful in constructing the new curriculum and evaluating the existing curriculum.

6. Evaluation helps in reporting pupil’s progress to parents:

A systematic evaluation procedure provides an objective and comprehensive picture of each pupil’s progress. This comprehensive nature of the evaluation process helps the teacher to report on the total development of the pupil to the parents. This type of objective information about the pupil provides the foundation for the most effective co-operation between the parents and teachers.

7. Evaluation data are very much useful in guidance and counselling:

Evaluation procedures are very much necessary for educational, vocational and personal guidance. In order to assist the pupils to solve their problems in the educational, vocational and personal fields the counsellor must have an objective knowledge of the pupils abilities, interests, attitudes and other personal characteristics. An effective evaluation procedure helps in getting a comprehensive picture of the pupil which leads to effective guidance and of counselling.

8. Evaluation helps in effective school administration:

Evaluation data helps the administrators to judge the extent to which the objectives of the school are being achieved, to find out strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum and arranging special school programmes. It also helps in decisions concerning admission, grouping and promotion of the students.

9. Evaluation data are helpful in school research:

In order to make the school programme more effective, researches are necessary. Evaluation data help in research areas like comparative study of different curricula, effectiveness of different methods, effectiveness of different organisational plans, etc.