Discussion Board 4 (DB 4)

Needs Assessment & Mid-Point Thoughts 1) While you have not been required to produce a full-blown Needs Assessment as a course assignment, it will be beneficial for us to address this important evaluation tool comprehensively in our DB activities. (The Needs Assessment Lecture notes are provided in Wk 4 - Modules - Study.) 1) Please consider the following Needs Assessment scenario: You are an assistant principal at Alpha High School. The principal has set aside funds for training parents to work as teaching assistants. One part of the parents' responsibility will be to assist in the school's computer lab. The principal has asked you to conduct a needs assessment to determine what direction the project should take. Please respond to the following questions: a) Your post should identify the type of need (i.e. normative, felt, expressed, comparative or anticipated) and the means by which you will identify the need. b) What reasonable assumptions would you make to conduct this project? (An effective needs assessment plan reflects the idea of levels of analysis – that is, repeated studies of increasing detail using more and varied sources.) Your post should specify both the data sources you would utilize and the sequence in which they would be used. (Data sources may include "extant data" found in files and reference material as well as people. Data based upon people is gathered via meetings, interviews, questionnaires, or observation.) c) Develop and discuss a concept for a plan for the NA scenario that describes the information sought from each group. Describe the information sought and the means you would use to collect and analyze the information. 2) It is hard to believe we are over the half-way point in the course. True to good evaluation we should conduct a formative assessment to consider our perspectives and performance thus far. Your post should address the following issues. a) In a general way, what have I gained from the course thus far? b) What issues are still muddy or unclear? c) What suggestions do you have to make the second half of the course more effective, especially in relation to the objectives stated in the syllabus and your felt needs?