Evaluation of ICT: an overview for learning and teaching science

In this chapter Martin Oliver introduces a step-by-step guide to evaluation of educational media. The chapter begins with a definition of evaluation, leading to a brief history of evaluation research in educational settings, noting the different theoretical influences on these approaches.

The chapter then switches to more practical issues by providing an introductory guide to educational evaluation. This involves a series of stages that range from consideration of the audience for the evaluation, to choice of data collection methods and consideration of the type of analysis.

Each stage is then described and linked to existing examples from the research literature. The chapter concludes by considering some of the technical, ethical and philosophical challenges to conducting evaluation research.

Oliver, M. (2004) Evaluation of ICT: an overview for learning and teaching science, in Holliman, R. and Scanlon, E. (eds), Mediating science learning through ICT, London, RoutledgeFalmer.