Evaluation in Indigenous Contexts: Proposed graduate unit

Transcription

1 Evaluation in Indigenous Contexts: Proposed graduate unit Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University Centre for Program Evaluation, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne

2 Overview of presentation Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University (CDU) with agreement and support from Centre for Program Evaluation (CPE), University of Melbourne have been developing concept for new graduate unit Evaluation in Australian Indigenous Contexts (EiAIC) Presenting today to gauge demand and viability Also looking for input to shape unit Indigenous views particularly welcomed

3 Rationale for unit Substantial amount of evaluation required or already occurring in Indigenous contexts Some workshops, one day courses available but few with holistic view, track competency Northern Institute, CDU and Centre for Program Evaluation, University Melbourne agreed to work on concept for graduate unit Students from both institutions could get credit for the unit

4 Where it would fit CDU (will host program) a stand-alone elective for Masters program in Public Policy MPP structure still being shaped potential for students to take CPE introductory evaluation unit for credit UniMelb Masters/Grad Dip elective subject, take through CDU for credit provide foundation for Capstone or Thesis/Research

5 Early EiAIC scoping focus Needs to reflect diversity of Australian Indigenous population and issues Ensure students learn of Indigenous resources and strengths; how to respectfully conduct evaluations with community Cultural safety approach preferred to cultural competence, i.e. competency judged by Indigenous community members Build on a consultative model

6 Consultation so far Indigenous organisations and individuals, inc First People's Disability Network, Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, Indigenous researchers/evaluators Indigenous and non-indigenous stakeholders: evaluators, commissioners and evaluands; individual and organisational representatives Practitioners and commissioners Those acquainted with existing academic units re gaps, wishlist

7 What we have heard so far Make unit accessible to practitioners and policy makers as well as HDR students Build on AES evaluation competencies Use case based learning Support students skill development and selfdirected learning Explore potential of unit to build links with Indigenous organisations, BUT ONLY where this helps the organisation, rather than adding extra burden

8 Proposed topics Indigenous history in Australia an evaluator's guide (includes pre 1788 as well as post 1788) Australian Indigenous demography (includes areas where ANY evaluation should be hyperaware of Indigenous issues) Indigenous traditional ways of assessing value, experience and expectations of evaluations Range of roles of Indigenous community members in evaluation (eg broker, participant, co-evaluator, expert consultant)

9 Proposed topics, cont d How to use existing sources to minimise evaluation burden Case studies - successful and unsuccessful Traditional knowledge and IP Special issues for metropolitan and inner regional evaluations Issues for outer regional, remote evaluations Ethics Praxis

10 Current proposal On-line lecture format Resources will include pre-recorded webinar(s), some open access required readings for each topic, list of optional readings for those wanting to explore issues in greater depth, other resources Interactive inc fortnightly forum Reflective referring to participants experience Utilises assessments for learning

11 Next steps Test concept and potential demand (today being part of this process); CPE will survey current students and professional contacts for interest Rigorous process of placing into curriculum of each university, developing and piloting Testing each session with people of different abilities, users with and without online learning experience Assemble testing team for full unit (ideally students taking for credit, as simulates real world situation)

12 Over to you What do you think about what we have shown you here? What suggestions do you have for resources, other steps, contacts we should make? What role would you be willing to play as we continue to develop and test this unit?