| Session Title: Moving Measures: Employing Visual Theater and Movement to Convey and Augment Participatory Learning in Program Evaluation |
| Skill-Building Workshop 437 to be held in Hanover Suite B on Thursday, November 8, 3:35 PM to 5:05 PM |
| Sponsored by the Collaborative, Participatory & Empowerment Evaluation TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Geri Peak, Two Gems Consulting Services, geri@twogemsconsulting.com |
| Abstract: This innovative approach to measurement responds to a client's request to literally convey evaluation results beyond words and diagrams. By creatively expanding participatory action research approaches with techniques from visual theater and dance (inspired by choreographer Vincent Thomas and Quest: Arts for Everyone), stakeholders can combine movements and words to: identify priority program components to evaluate; illustrate program characteristics; or articulate perceived results. Evaluators working with diverse groups can use these techniques as qualitative tools throughout the evaluation cycle. Incorporating movement can prove meaningful in building equity when divergent ages, power levels, language abilities or cultural perspectives dictate stakeholder involvement. Evaluators of all levels will: 1) review the basic premises in relation to the evaluation life cycle, 2) learn basic visual theater exercises, and 3) practice creating and sharing moving measures based on case studies from the presenter's evaluation practice. Wear comfortable clothing; no prior movement experience necessary. |