Reflection on the External Evaluation

Task 9

 

     The process of program evaluation was very informative. My writing skills improved due to peer and instructor feedback. It is good to have an outside perspective about your work. I learned that there is a need to be incredibly specific about the objective of an assessment. I also found that defining goals clearly helps with choosing an overall objective for the process. It is imperative to ask the organization where the evaluation will benefit the most. I learned that the more research and time is put in, the evaluators perspective becomes more specific.

     The evaluation opened my eyes to personal experiences of juveniles at risk of many life altering factors. The criminal justice system is a vicious cycle that is hard to escape. The statistic of how many criminals are under the age of twenty was shocking, and the problem needs a solution, such as more positive opportunities. Preventing children from entering the system is a long term solution that I would like to be a part of. The naturalistic observation helped me realize that a future career involving mentoring this demographic will be rewarding.

     This class was one of the biggest scholastic challenges of my educational experience. I am not very technologically inclined. Therefore learning how to make and display a graph, do a wix, and apply graphics were difficult. Other challenges included organization, choosing a theory that applies, and defining what behaviors were qualitatively measurable. Also, it was incredibly detailed and time consuming.

     Overall this evaluation was a positive experience. The observations of the program took place in an uplifting environment, which was inspiring. The participants and stakeholders were friendly and accommodating. I learned how to accept technology and embraced it through assignments for this class.

     I acquired a few transferable skills from this class. It was informative about the research process as a whole. I now have increased competency for conducting qualitative research and proposing hypotheses. Having a positive, “go-getter” attitude seems to be imperative for any future research project, because stakeholders respond to that. This applies to every aspect in life. Also it pays to have determination and set specific goals. It is important to see a situation or program for what it really is. Honest evaluation is a unique way to enhance any situation's future.