Evaluation
Evaluation is an essential element of educational process. Responsibility for Evaluation in the Medical Program is vested in the Sub-dean, Evaluation.
Evaluation in the Medical Program is about collecting, analysing and utilising information gained from students, staff and program developers so that decisions are made in an evidence-based manner. Evaluation goes hand-in-hand with assessment, seeking to determine how well educational needs of students have been met and whether educational standards have been attained. By conducting evaluation throughout the 4-year Medical Program and beyond, the program is assessed for educational quality, and curricula are regularly updated to ensure the most recent educational innovations are implemented. However, to do this effectively, it is important that all students and teachers take part.
Students in the Medical Program are invited to become partners in evaluation – for their own benefit through improvements in the course, as a professional responsibility to develop skills as reflective learners, and to take part in the ongoing cycle of curriculum development for the benefit of future students.
What does Evaluation involve?
Evaluation will make some demands on students’ time. Students will be asked to respond to short surveys periodically and we ask that they give honest and considered feedback. In addition, there will be opportunities online to provide feedback on your learning experiences. Taking part in all evaluation ensures that students’ views are heard in a context that ensures confidentiality and anonymity. Student focus groups may also be held where specific issues can be addressed.
What’s in it for students?
For effective evaluation there must be action. In return for students’ feedback, the Medical Program will respond by reporting evaluation results on the Medical Program website and will include proposed action for change. The Evaluation Team will meet with student representatives throughout the year to make sure they are capturing as much feedback as possible. An Evaluation Committee has also been established to ensure that information will be gathered systematically and that it will be put to optimal use.