Using Alumni and Student Databases for Program Evaluation and Planning

Summary

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This article describes the process used to identify students in and alumni of an instructional design master's and doctoral program in order to evaluate the effectiveness of this program. Two databases were created on these two groups and then later used to develop to datasheet surveys, which were the Survey of Students and the Survey of Alumni. The Student survey was distributed during the new student orientation and via the program's listserv in fall and spring semesters. The Alumni survey was distributed via the US postal service and, again, through the program's listserv during spring semester only. Of the 225 possible participants, approximately 25% of the surveys were returned and used in the data analyses. Results indicated an overall program satisfaction from both students and alumni. Reported weaknesses were used in strategic program planning to implement changes to the curriculum.

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Using Alumni and Student Databases for Program Evaluation and Planning

Introduction

The purpose of the project was to establish databases of the students and alumni and then survey them for their impressions of the Program. The information gathered was used to identify issues related to instructional design (ID) master's and doctoral level programs at a Southeastern university. Additionally, the information gathered from these same audiences assisted in evaluating the programs and facilitating strategic planning by the program faculty members. Ultimately, the information gained will serve as a benchmark in order to identify any trends with the student populations and within the ID programs themselves.

The purpose of this article is to describe the process used to track students and alumni in a less than accommodating environment at the time the databases were established. In addition the results of the information gathered will be shared in light of identifying the types of information to collect when developing databases, ...

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