Week 3

Models used for Evaluation-

Utilization Focused Evaluation is described as a decision making framework that enhances the utility and actual use of evaluations. U-FE insists that evaluators should facilitate the evaluation process and design any evaluation with careful consideration of how everything that is done, from beginning to end, will affect use. Use concerns how real people in the real world apply evaluation findings and experiences the evaluation process. Therefore, the focus in utilization-focused evaluation is on intended use by intended users.

Participatory evaluation provides for active involvement in the evaluation process of those with a stake in the program: providers, partners, customers (beneficiaries), and any other interested parties. Participation typically takes place throughout all phases of the evaluation: planning and design; gathering and analyzing the data; identifying the evaluation findings, conclusions, and recommendations; disseminating results; and preparing an action plan to improve program performance.

Every year my students participate in a Stormwater Comic Strip contest for our local water department. Stormwater Management invites all third through fifth grade students in our school district to participate. Stormwater Management’s mission is to maintain natural and man-made drainage ways in free-flowing condition, to reduce the risk of localized storm water flooding, to reduce stormwater pollution as required by Federal law, to manage floodplain development, and to manage the municipal drainage utility system. The chairperson for the contest is always looking for feedback on ways to improve the contest as well as information on how effective the contest is in raising awareness with our students. Using the Participatory Evaluation, I would work with the chairman to design an evaluation that would allow her to take part in the all phases and help both of us extend our knowledge about the effectiveness of the program. Working so closely together on all phases of the evaluation process would greatly increase her interest in finding out the truth about the program. Using the Utilization Focused Evaluation, I would carefully evaluate the contest using different tools while always thinking about how each part will affect the way she uses the findings. For example, I would survey students who participated in the contest over the past 3 years and get feedback on how the contest affected their feeling toward storm water and if they put any of the knowledge they learned into affect. Hopefully, she would be able to use the findings from this tool to help students develop a lasting impression about storm water safety.

Technological Innovation- JING

JING is a program that allows you to capture images and video of your computer screen that you can share instantly.

Relative Advantage:

• ·         SWF video
• ·         5-minutes of screen recording
• ·         Mark-up tools for images
• ·         Screencast.com Free Account
• ·         Take Screenshots: Capture an image of what you see on your computer screen
• ·         Record Screencasts: Record what you see and do on your monitor
• ·         Collaborate: Jing’s older siblings – Snagit and Camtasia - are great for editing and enhanced sharing

Compatibility:

• ·         Compatible with Windows and Mac OS X

Complexity:

• ·         Very user friendly

Trialability:

• ·         There is a free version for any individual wanting to utilize the product.  The only thing you have to do is register for an account.

Observability:

•   TechSmith provides more than 50 countries with screen capture and recording software for individual and professional use. TechSmith has seven products that do anything from taking screen captures, to screen recording and managing consumer content. People everywhere use their products to grab images and record content straight off their computer screens to create dynamic presentations and screencasts. With their products, people communicate more effectively and create interest with engaging visuals and sharp videos that grab attention and keep it. They also develop and update their innovative software every day and plan to continue expanding their existing products to support the Mac platform.

Compatibility and complexity assisted in the adoption of this innovation. Being compatible with Windows and Mac made the product available for use to everyone. Also, because JING is so easy to use, many people will be able to utilize it without needing much outside support or training. 

Situational Leadership: To start this project, I would like to utilize the resources available to me, which would be the teachers within the district that are experts in the utilizing technology in the classroom, to present the professional development session to other teachers. To make sure I am being equitable about choosing the right individuals to present, I would ask the administrators to select two individuals from their campus they felt would be great at presenting and also possessed expertise in utilizing technology in the classroom. Next, I need to identify the maturity level and leadership style for the group:

Maturity Levels

• M1 – People at this level of maturity are at the bottom level of the scale. They lack the knowledge, skills, or confidence to work on their own, and they often need to be pushed to take the task on.
• M2 – at this level, followers might be willing to work on the task, but they still don't have the skills to do it successfully.
• M3 – Here, followers are ready and willing to help with the task. They have more skills than the M2 group, but they're still not confident in their abilities.
• M4 – These followers are able to work on their own. They have high confidence and strong skills, and they're committed to the task.

Leadership Styles

• Telling (S1) – Leaders tell their people exactly what to do, and how to do it.
• Selling (S2) – Leaders still provide information and direction, but there's more communication with followers. Leaders "sell" their message to get the team on board.
• Participating (S3) – Leaders focus more on the relationship and less on direction. The leader works with the team, and shares decision-making responsibilities.
• Delegating (S4) – Leaders pass most of the responsibility onto the follower or group. The leaders still monitor progress, but they're less involved in decisions.

I am hoping for a group with a M4 maturity level. Then, I need to decide on my leadership style for this group. With my group being a M4, I need to use the S4 leadership style. With the group being experts in utilizing technology in the classroom, I would allow them to decide the direction the professional development should be directed. The planning, information, implementation, and evaluation would be up to the group. I will acts as a facilitator and monitor the direction of the planning. Hopefully, with the high confidence, strong skills, and commitment to the task, the group will form a cohesive professional development that is effective and motivating to teachers.