| In a 90 minute Roundtable session, the first
rotation uses the first 45 minutes and the second rotation uses the last 45 minutes.
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| Roundtable Rotation I:
The Unfocused Focus Group: Evaluation Benefit or Bane? |
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Roundtable Presentation 873 to be held in SAN JACINTO on Saturday, Nov 13, 2:50 PM to 4:20 PM
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Sponsored by the Extension Education Evaluation TIG
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| Presenter(s):
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| Nancy Franz, Virginia Tech, nfranz@vt.edu
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| Abstract:
Many program evaluators use focus group as a method to collect evidence of process or impact data on programs. However, successful focus groups often rely on the skills of the facilitator. Some facilitators find working with focus groups to be a combination of science and art. This can be especially true when focus group conversation wanders from the interview protocol. This session will explore the benefits and bane of allowing focus groups to wander away from the protocol into uncharted territory. Personal experiences will be shared to spur discussion on the potential best practices for this aspect of working with focus groups.
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| Roundtable Rotation II:
eXtension Evaluation Community of Practice (CoP) Grows Up |
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Roundtable Presentation 873 to be held in SAN JACINTO on Saturday, Nov 13, 2:50 PM to 4:20 PM
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Sponsored by the Extension Education Evaluation TIG
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| Presenter(s):
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| Michael Lambur, Virginia Tech, lamburmt@vt.edu
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| Benjamin Silliman, North Carolina State University, ben_silliman@ncsu.edu
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| Abstract:
The eXtension Evaluation Community of Practice, established early in 2009 by EE-TIG members, created a variety of online educational resources and established several streams of dialogue for community-based Extension educators and evaluation specialists. Formative evaluations of the CoP monthly webinar indicate that it fosters evaluation knowledge that is disseminated and applied with diverse populations. Simultaneously, informal feedback from diverse users of CoP resources (webinar, web sites, consultations) and reflection by CoP leaders on non-participation among the broader Extension community is yielding insights on how the CoP can build individual and organizational evaluation capacity. In response, CoP leaders are collaborating with eXtension and university distance education specialists, CoP leaders are expanding use of diverse technologies to educate and engage clients via self-directed and collaborative learning. This Roundtable will update participants on CoP activities and responses and engage discussion on building evaluation capacity through online networks and resources.
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