The E-learning Curve at Edublogs

I consider a case study methodology to be the most effective strategy to use when evaluating non-formal learning because this approach provides the means to develop a rich description of the non-formal learning (NFL) initiative.

This assists in providing a context, and helps define the NFL initiative’s value to the learners and to the organisation. An added benefit of the case study approach is that it enables the learning practitioner to employ a number of different data collection methodologies: participant observation, archive data collection, surveys, and interviews to answer the questions outlined in Table 1. The main purpose of using a number of data collection methodologies was to capture a range of quantitative and qualitative data, and to establish a means of triangulating that data to enhance validity and “trustworthiness” (Russ-Eft & Preskill, 2001, p.153).

Table 1 Questions the case study approach attempts to answer

Quantitative Data

Qualitative Data

Who attends live “in situ” the learning event? (dept., role, skill level, location)

Description and chronology of a the learning event

Who views synchronous live stream of the learning event? (dept., role, skill level, location)

Transfer of new knowledge to the job (Kirkpatrick - Level 3)

Who views asynchronous on-demand version of the learning event? (dept., role, skill level, location)

Does the pedagogical approach used in the learning event fulfil participants’ needs?

Who requests asynchronous DVD version of the learning event? (dept., role, skill level, location)

Do non-formal learning event enhance individuals’ and organisation performance? (Kirkpatrick - Level 3)

Participants satisfaction with the learning event? (Kirkpatrick - Level 1)

What is the Business Impact of the the learning event or series of events over time (Kirkpatrick - Level 4)

What do attendees know that they didn’t know before? (Kirkpatrick - Level 2)

References:

Russ-Eft, D. & Preskill H. (2001) Evaluation in Organizations: A Systematic Approach to Enhancing Learning, Performance and Change. New York, NY. Perseus Books.

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