Synopses & Reviews
In order to develop effective education programs for adult learners, it is necessary first to determine what the needs of those learners are. In this book, Donna S. Queeney offers step-by-step guidance on using needs assessment to design high-quality programs in continuing education settings. She identifies the factors to be considered in planning and conducting a needs assessment, such as the educational setting and characteristics of learners, and she tells how to determine the scope, target population, and level of complexity for an assessment.Queeney details specific needs assessment methods—such as self-reporting of needs and supervisor evaluations—that can be implemented with minimal experience and resources. She explains how to design surveys, questionnaires, and interviews that will motivate people to respond. And she describes how to integrate needs assessment into an organization to make it an ongoing asset to operations.
Review
"Donna Queeney takes needs assessment out of the realm of theory and good intentions, and she shows us when, why, and especially how it can be done. This book is filled with useful insights and practical examples." --Clifford Baden, director, Programs in Professional Education, Harvard University
Synopsis
This comprehensive review examines how adults learn. It presents the research currently available on the subject, as well as an analysis of the methods most commonly used in teaching adults.
Synopsis
Takes needs assessment out of the realm of theory and good intentions, and shows us when, why, and especially how it can be done?Filled with useful insights and practical examples.
--Clifford Baden, director, Programs in Professional Education, Harvard University
Synopsis
Takes needs assessment out of the realm of theory and good intentions, and shows us when, why, and especially how it canbe done?Filled with useful insights and practical examples.--Clifford Baden, director, Programs in Professional Education, Harvard University
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 265-269) and index.
About the Author
DONNA S. QUEENEY is director of research and external relations for Continuing and Distance Education and a faculty member in adult education at The Pennsylvania State University. She has conducted research, written, and spoken on many aspects of continuing education, particularly needs assessment and practice-oriented program development.
Table of Contents
What Is Needs Assessment?
Considerations in Developing a Needs Assessment.
Deciding What to Assess.
Deciding How to Assess.
Methods for Beginners.
Surveys.
Assessing Performance.
Needs Assessment as Part of Program Planning.
Continuous Assessment: Evaluating Program Effectiveness.
Institutionalizing Needs Assessment in Continuing Education.