UEval: Bringing Community-Based Experiential Learning to the Evaluation Classroom

Abstract

This practice note describes the unique features of, and lessons learned from UEval, an innovative one-week ‘evaluation institute’ at the Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta. This initiative responds to an identified community and university need to provide contextual and socially relevant evaluation-focused educational opportunities to learners across disciplines and sectors. UEval is a guided by principles of participatory and experiential learning, and brings together undergraduates, graduates and community professionals as co-learners, for a mutually beneficial and sustainable educational experience. During the week, learners explore and apply evaluation theory through project-based curricula, and develop evaluative responses to community-informed issues.