A BLENDED LEARNING ENQUIRY BASED MODULE: BEST PRACTICE OF EVALUATION SKILLS IN HEALTH PROMOTION

The discipline of Health Promotion at National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) delivers a postgraduate diploma and Master's course in Health Promotion. A core 'Research Methods' module incorporates some teaching of evaluation research in health promotion. This project arose from recognition of the need to further develop the evaluation component into a stand- alone module that would provide students with a greater understanding of the relationship between the evidence-base and research practice of evaluation in health promotion. The aim of this project is to develop and deliver a creative, research-based module on evaluation practice using an enquiry-based approach that incorporates new learning technologies. The aim is to progress from the theoretical aspects of evaluation to incorporate evaluation research practice into delivery of the module. The specific objectives of the project are to pilot a template for future development of blended learning within modules integrating the use of the online Wiki tool via Blackboard. Workshop and tutorial-based elements will be developed to deliver theoretical basis and models employed in the evaluation of health promotion interventions. Peer assessment of the group work as one element of student assessment will be developed and piloted and a 'tool-kit style' handbook incorporating new e-technologies will be compiled. The Wiki tool will be used to establish how students construct knowledge about real life evaluation issues. This project will assess the process that students are engaging in as an exemplar of integrated learning and evaluation.