Assessing Transfer and Benefit to Evaluate Course Effectiveness

Authors

  • Tamara M. Walser University of North Carolina Wilmington Author

Keywords:

transfer of learning, course evaluation, learning outcomes assessment, action research, higher education assessment, scholarship of teaching and learning

Abstract

It is both important and challenging to assess transfer of skills learned through coursework and related organizational and societal contributions. The author describes an action research study to determine the effectiveness of a doctoral course in program evaluation. Using Kirkpatrick's (Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick, 2006) four-level evaluation framework for evaluating training programs, an extended framework by Kaufman, Keller, and Watkins (1995), and adaptations suggested by Praslova (2010), five levels of outcomes were addressed: reaction, learning, transfer, organizational benefit, and societal contributions. Findings evidence positive reactions, learning, transfer, and organizational benefit. Additionally, the study provides implications for others engaged in higher education assessment and evaluation at the course, program, and unit levels.

Published

2024-04-25