A model for evaluating interdisciplinary in-service training programs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate an interdisciplinary in-service training program, Family Resource Development for the Handicapped, and through experience gained in the process, to develop a general model for evaluation of interdisciplinary in-service training programs. In addition, the efficacy of this model was tested for its intended use. The model entailed a systems approach to evaluation of interdisciplinary in-service training programs in which the training program was viewed as a temporary educative system and the community as a permanent system. The model was divided into three phases: pretraining assessment in the permanent system, posttraining assessment in the temporary system, and posttraining assessment in the permanent system. An important step in the posttraining assessment was determining effectiveness of the interdisciplinary in-service training program: (a) during the life of the temporary system, and (b) in the permanent system, based on previously established criteria for effectiveness for each system. The overall effectiveness of the interdisciplinary in-service training program then was determined. The final step in the evaluation model entailed the utilization of results of the evaluation in the decision-making process for future interdisciplinary in-service training programs. The model was applied to evaluation of the interdisciplinary in-service training program, Family Resource Development for the Handicapped. The purpose of this training program was to utilize an interdisciplinary team of Extension specialists to train Extension agents from the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service to work with the physically handicapped in the community. Data used to determine the effectiveness of this interdisciplinary in-service training program, based on pre-stated criteria, indicated that the interdisciplinary training was effective in training Extension agents to work with the physically handicapped in the community. Following application of the model to evaluation of Family Resource Development for the Handicapped, it was concluded that the model was an appropriate model for evaluating interdisciplinary in-service training programs in general. Use of the model simplified the evaluation process. To ensure maximum benefit from the model, the steps in all three phases of the evaluation process should be followed implicitly.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Human Nutrition and Foods

Department dc:contributor.department

Human Nutrition and Foods

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1979

Author dc:creator

• Grainger, Frances Powe

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/76547

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/76547