PowerPoint & Evaluating Resources PowerPoint & Evaluating Resources Mike Spindler & Emma Purnell

Session objectives By the end of the session you will: Be able to create a simple PowerPoint presentation incorporating animation and automation features. Have developed a list of evaluation criteria that can be used to evaluate the work of others Be able to apply selected criteria to given articles in order to build your evaluation skills Have the opportunity to feedback on the session content

PowerPoint exercise

What is Evaluation? Assessment of value The act of considering or examining something in order to judge its value, quality, importance, extent, or condition Statement of value A spoken or written statement of the value, quality, importance, extent, or condition of something

What are the main objectives required for evaluating resources? To select appropriate evaluation criteria To evaluate articles against this criteria

Evaluation criteria idea storm! In groups of 3 or 4 If you were reading a newspaper article what factors would influence your decision as to whether it was a good or bad article? What would make it good or bad? Make a list of these factors

Introduction to Evaluating Resources Importance of evaluation - read - identify key themes - evaluate Create an evaluation checklist Apply what is learnt to Assignment 1

Dealing With the Writings of Others: Introduction to Evaluating Articles (1) The single most important skill you will need to succeed on any HE course is the ability to evaluate and critically write about what you read. Simple description is not enough You will spend the majority of your time here reading the work of others and evaluating their theories and research. We will then assess you on how much of that work you have understood By using the library resources you are shown in this unit, you will find many authors saying many things about any topic you can name It is essential that you DO NOT ACCEPT anything you read just because it is written by an ‘academic’!

Dealing with the writings of others: Introduction to evaluating articles (2) It is essential for your success that you are able to assess the value of written work against a number of criteria Without this skill, you may find yourself having to re- submit work at several times throughout your course Giving your opinions, both positive & negative on other people’s work and on what you have learnt It is essential that you DO NOT ACCEPT anything you read just because it is written by an ‘academic’!

Creating an Evaluation Checklist Adopt a consistent approach to evaluating your reading – otherwise not all articles will receive the same ‘treatment’ from you What do you need to look for in any article you read? Why may some articles not ‘withstand’ such rigorous treatment?

An evaluation checklist (1) - Research & Evidence What was the research method used? (Is there any evidence of this?) Is the research evidence appropriate to the argument? (Does it support or not?) Is evidence being used to support arguments? Consider the references given: Useful? Out of date? Were details of research method(s) and the samples given, found to be true and justified? If primary research has been done, was the sample size adequate? Are the statistics reliable?

An evaluation checklist (2) What was the author claiming? (Consider their background & credentials) What were the aim and the objectives? If it has any, does it keep to the aim and objectives set? Does the article have a logical flow? What were the key definitions offered?

An evaluation checklist (3) Was the author fair and unbiased? Consider the tone of the article Is the article one sided? Which areas are convincing and why? Which areas are less convincing and why? On the basis of the above points, do you accept the author’s claim(s)?

An evaluation checklist (4) How does this article differ to others you have read on the topic? Similar or different? What does the content and presentation style tell you? (Any assumptions, emotional arguments or pictures, advertisements) What are your final impressions? (Which is the preferred article?)

Summary Develop effective evaluation skills Draw up a clear evaluation checklist Adopt a consistent approach to each article Keep questions in mind when reading

Group evaluation Exercise using PowerPoint 1) Work in groups of 4 2) Read article - 2 to read one, and 2 read the other 3) Slide 1: Select 3 evaluation criteria from the previous points mentioned (handout) (and/or others) and provide a brief reason why you have chosen these Slide 2/3: Summarise (bullet points) your evaluation of the journal articles using the 3 criteria selected. (Discuss your findings across both articles) Slide 4: Reference the 2 journal articles following college guidelines Save document, and print out for rest of group Feedback to the class for next week

Assignment 1

Aims of 1st Coursework Assignment for RS & IT Encourage you to read effectively. Critical evaluation requires you to evaluate arguments. Weigh up the evidence. To develop a set of standards on which to base your own evaluation. Express findings in a professional manner.

Assignment 1 1) Choose at least 5 criteria to present a balanced essay 2) Justify their importance to your evaluation 3) Finally, include a reasoned conclusion based on your own evaluation