September 2021 e-Essential Skills Series

The Canadian Evaluation Society’s on-line ten-week course offers participants with a basic understanding of the main models and practices of evaluation. No prior knowledge of evaluation or social science research methods is required to participate. Participants will gain:

• Basic knowledge and skills,
• Appreciation for essential elements of evaluation,
• Capacity to apply acquired knowledge and skills, and
• Development as an evaluation professional.

The Essential Skills Series is ten self-paced learning modules that cover everything from basics like the objectives of evaluations, all the way through to practical skills such as budgeting and workplan development. The discussion forum encourages knowledge transfer/sharing among participants and instructor, instructor reviewed assignments to guide learners and real-time Zoom learning at the start and conclusion of the course.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the role of evaluation in the program lifecycle;
• Explain common evaluation terms, functions, and approaches;
• List the steps in planning and conducting an evaluation;
• Describe how common social science data collection methods are used in evaluations;
• Describe the value and use of project management concepts in evaluations;
• Outline ways to support the use of evaluation findings and produce actionable evaluation reports; and
• Recognize evaluation standards and ethical principles and identify their role in the professionalization of evaluation in Canada.

Learners will be expected to:

• Complete one module per week independent of the facilitator;
• Participate regularly in discussion forums with participants and the instructor;
• Complete seven assignments to submit to facilitator for review/feedback

About the Facilitator

Paul Favaro Ph.D., CE is the Chief of Research, Program Evaluation, and Accountability for the Peel District School Board in Mississauga, Ontario. He teaches management sciences at York University in Toronto.

Dr. Favaro has authored or co-authored articles, chapters, and technical reports, and has conducted professional training workshops in the areas of program evaluation, performance measurement, and research methodology. He is on the editorial board of The Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation. Throughout his career, he has worked as a research consultant to a wide variety of government ministries, educational organizations, charitable foundations, and community-based programs. He has held several executive positions on the board of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES). In 2010, he was awarded a fellowship in the CES. He is a Credentialed Evaluator by the Canadian Evaluation Society.

Registration deadline: September 7, 2021

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/september-2021-e-essential-skills-series-tickets-140599275217.