CHAPTER 15

[Audio] CHAPTER 15. Planning Curriculum Evaluation. Classmates, good morning , good afternoon and good evening. I'm Irene Yokoya. honored to be the final reporter today, bringing you insights from Chapter 15, titled "Planning Curriculum Evaluation" in Part 5, which focuses on the implementation and evaluation of an evidence-informed, context-relevant, unified curriculum..

[Audio] Now let's provide a brief overview of the upcoming chapter. CHAPTER PREVIEW This chapter explores the critical role of nursing faculty and administrators in evaluating the curriculum for quality improvement, emphasizing the importance of aligning evaluation with curriculum development. It covers essential concepts such as evaluation definitions, curriculum evaluation, and program evaluation. The chapter also discusses the purposes and processes of internal and external curriculum evaluations, provides insights into using evaluation models, and underscores the benefits of active participation in curriculum evaluation planning..

[Audio] The focus of this chapter revolves around the following key questions, which I will address one by one." QUESTIONS ADDRESSED IN THIS CHAPTER 1. What is evaluation generally, and what are curriculum evaluation and program evaluation more specifically? 2. Why is it important to integrate evaluation planning into curriculum development? 3. What are the purposes of internal and external curriculum evaluation? 4. What processes are employed in curriculum evaluation? 5. What are the benefits of reflecting on the curriculum evaluation process? 6. What models might be used to guide curriculum evaluation? 7. How can individual curriculum components and actual curriculum outcomes be evaluated? 8. Why might fidelity of curriculum implementation be explicitly assessed? 9. What is the relationship of curriculum evaluation to an evidence-informed, context-relevant, unified curriculum? 10. How are the core processes of faculty development, ongoing appraisal, and scholarship related to planning curriculum evaluation?.

[Audio] Our starting point today is the following question What is evaluation generally, and what are curriculum evaluation and program evaluation more specifically? Definitions of Curriculum Evaluation and Program Evaluation Generally, evaluation is an applied inquiry process involving systematic data gathering and synthesis of evidence, leading to conclusions about the state, value, merit, worth, or quality of various objects or plans, often encompassing both empirical and normative aspects. It also places importance on the establishment of reasonable criteria or standards for assessing the value, coupled with data synthesis and interpretation to render conclusions regarding merit, worth, or quality. Curriculum evaluation is a comprehensive and utilization-focused process that involves assessing various aspects of an educational curriculum, including philosophical approaches, goals, design, courses, educational strategies, and more. It aims to provide a thorough understanding of the entire curriculum, involving both faculty members and students in collaborative evaluations to improve educational quality and meet specific goals and purposes. Program evaluation in nursing education goes beyond curriculum evaluation by encompassing various elements such as the school's administrative structure, institutional support, faculty activities, student services, library resources, and external relationships. Accreditation serves as a prime example of program evaluation, aiming to ensure a nursing school's adherence to standards and assess its overall effectiveness and quality within the academic and community context..

[Audio] Moving on to our second point of discussion Why is it important to integrate evaluation planning into curriculum development? Integrating evaluation planning into curriculum development is crucial because it ensures that educational programs are not only designed effectively but also continuously improved and aligned with specific goals. This approach helps in maintaining the quality, relevance, and responsiveness of the curriculum. For example, in a university setting, integrating evaluation planning into curriculum development might involve regular assessments of course content, teaching methods, and student outcomes to identify areas for improvement and tailor the curriculum to better meet the needs of both students and the institution..

[Audio] Now transitioning to the next question in our presentation. What are the purposes of internal and external curriculum evaluation? PURPOSES OF INTERNAL CURRICULUM EVALUATION Firstly, will address the meaning of Internal curriculum evaluation. It acts as a crucial quality control process, much like a manufacturing plant regularly assessing the quality and effectiveness of its production processes to ensure consistent product standards. For example, a nursing school may use internal curriculum evaluation to review its clinical training program to ensure that it meets the evolving healthcare industry's demands and maintains a high level of quality in educating future nurses. So within internal curriculum evaluation will discuss the two distinct processes. 1st. Internal formative curriculum evaluation is designed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of curriculum components and enable ongoing refinements. This process occurs regularly during curriculum implementation and offers feedback based on established standards. Faculty members and students are the primary sources of data, with the aim of improving the curriculum in response to identified deficiencies or challenges. 2nd. Summative evaluation is conducted at the end of a curriculum portion or the entire curriculum to assess its overall effectiveness. Data for summative evaluation are gathered from various stakeholders, including faculty, students, graduates, administrators, employers, with the aim of making recommendations for maintenance, revision, or discontinuance of the curriculum. Example: In a business school, internal formative curriculum evaluation may entail continuous assessments by faculty and students to enhance the quality of individual courses, incorporating feedback and standards, while summative evaluation could occur at the end of a degree program, using input from various stakeholders to decide on the curriculum's future direction..

[Audio] So now moving forward to the PURPOSES OF EXTERNAL PROGRAM EVALUATION External curriculum evaluation is typically conducted as a part of a broader summative program evaluation process for the purpose of obtaining approval or accreditation from external agencies. This evaluation involves self-study reports, onsite visits, and the assessment of predetermined criteria by external peers to determine whether an institution or program meets the required standards. So, in the context of curriculum evaluation will navigate through the two distinct processes 1st. Nursing program approval is a mandatory evaluation process primarily focused on ensuring public safety by confirming that a program adheres to minimum standards established by legislative bodies, allowing its graduates to take licensing exams, such as the NCLEX-RN®. 2nd. Accreditation in nursing education is a quality assurance process conducted by discipline-specific agencies, and it serves as an endorsement of a program's excellence. This rigorous evaluation ensures that nursing programs meet specific standards set by accrediting boards. For example, accreditation not only influences students' application decisions and employment prospects but can also impact their ability to secure financial aid for their education. For example: For instance, in the field of nursing education, nursing program approval is a mandatory process that guarantees graduates meet minimum standards required for licensing exams, while accreditation by discipline-specific agencies ensures program excellence and can significantly affect students' educational choices and financial aid opportunities..