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Session Title: Theory of Change Online: Implications for Participatory Planning and Evaluation Using Technology
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Panel Session 703 to be held in Lone Star B on Saturday, Nov 13, 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
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Sponsored by the Program Theory and Theory-driven Evaluation TIG
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| Chair(s): |
| Helene Clark, ActKnowledge, hclark@actknowledge.org
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| Discussant(s):
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| Helene Clark, ActKnowledge, hclark@actknowledge.org
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| Abstract:
The panel will consist of participants in a pilot of an online application to develop Theories of Change, which can be stored, shared and commented from anywhere.
As an inherently participatory process, how do the benefits and challenges of using an online application affect (either enhance or reduce) participatory processes and what is the effect on the overall theory? What issues did the panelists find in a) creating their TOCS and b) using an online application for the first time for TOC and c) what are the implications for future uses.
Three panelists from different types of organizations, topic areas and geographic context with discuss their theories and the uses of online capabilities.
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Using Technology to Enable Constituency Feedback
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| David Bonbright, Keystone Accountability, david@keystoneaccountability.org
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This presentation will will share our experiences in using technology to enable constituency feedback and our early experiences with Theory of Change Online as a way to enhance participation of key constituents in planning. We come to this as a partner to social investors as they build learning and improvement systems with their grantees. The context for this is the entire value chain of social investor, implementer and primary constituents/beneficiaries. Technology enables us to create a heretofore very hard to see Whole System view.
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Differences in Theory Development Before and After Using an Online Theory of Change Application
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| Abra McAndrew, University of Arizona, mcandrew@email.arizona.edu
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This presentation will discuss the process we used to develop our Theory of Change without the on-line drawing program, and how that process might be experienced differently in the TOCO environment. In order to build our model pre-TOCO, we had to use other tools such as Post-It notes and sketches on a white board. This allowed the members of the group to participate in a kinesthetic way, which has the advantage of the participants’ physical and immediate connection to developing the model. However, the disadvantages were that the system was a bit messy and sometimes difficult for all members to clearly see what was going on (ie sloppy writing, abbreviations, etc). Also, at the end of the day I, as the facilitator, needed to reproduce the drawing suggested by the group in a Power Point or Word document (we tried both, and both were too clunky to use during the actual discussion process). This took the product out of the group’s hands as I took back the ideas and shaped the drawing. The advantage of the TOCO environment is that the Outcomes and Connectors could be easily projected and manipulated by participants during discussion, giving them a more direct hand in the final product.
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Using Theory of Change Online as Part of an Advocacy Approach to the Needs of Children
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| Jodie Langs, West Coast Children's Clinic, jlangs@westcoastcc.org
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This presentation will discuss using Theory of Change Online in the context of an organization that uses Theories of Change
as an advocacy tool to promote a better understanding of the mental health needs of children in the child welfare system and to identify the most effective practices and public policies to meet these needs. Within WestCoast we have facilitated the Theory of Change process with organizational staff as a program design and evaluation tool. This presentation will discuss her agency’s experience in using Theory of Change Online in the context of designing, evaluating and revising program interventions in the field of children’s mental health.
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