IDT Evaluations

Recently, I learned it is important for the work of an Instructional Designer or Technologist to be evaluated. There are two types of evaluation: formative and summative. Formative evaluation occurs while the learning experience is being crafted and happening. Every step is observed from creation to implementation. Summative evaluation occurs at the end of the learning experience. After all the activities have been completed, the outcome is examined. In a summative evaluation, we are looking at whether learners gained the ability to exercise the skills taught to them.

The purpose for evaluation is to be sure that instructional designs and technology are both valid and reliable for the learner. An evaluation can determine whether learning objectives can be fulfilled with limited resources, it can discover potential problems to prevent in the future and show strengths and weaknesses of a particular learning strategy.