Comments on: Top Tips for the Evaluators of Tomorrow

By: Sheila B Robinson, Ed. D

Sheila B Robinson, Ed. D — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 23:08:56 +0000

The sheer volume of available information on evaluation and the lack of widespread agreement within the field of practitioners and theorists on terminology, practice, approaches, theories, etc. has been the most challenging aspect of evaluation for me personally, and reading, reading, and READING more (along with attending AEA conferences) is how I deal with it. 🙂 Hmmmm…I think a blog post is beginning to form…

By: Karen Anderson

Karen Anderson — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 23:20:13 +0000

Ann,
I’d love to answer all of these, but here are a few of my thoughts…
What’s the best evaluation advice you’ve received? Who was it from? How did it affect your everyday evaluation practice?
During my lunch with Michael Quinn Patton at the AEA Conference 2012 he told me networking was going to be key in my career. I’d like to take that a step further and say that network weaving, a craft I’m learning from Susan Kistler, has also been rewarding, to be able to bring people together and show the value for both parties 🙂
What are your interview, resume, and cover letter tips for job candidates? (Or, your pet peeves that candidates should avoid?)
I’m a fan of creativity(colors, links, innovative cover letters), but I’ve gotten good and bad feedback regarding this. I just know from my review of hundreds of applicants for a position, I need something to stick out among the crowd! Anything!
“Being a generalist” has been the most challenging aspect of evaluation for me personally, and having conversations with staff and various stakeholders is how I deal with it.”
I hope this helps a little, thanks for this very engaging post!
-Karen

By: Sam Grant

Sam Grant — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:49:10 +0000

This isn’t advice that was given to me personally, but Jane Davidson wrote a rock star article on unlearning our social science habits. http://survey.ate.wmich.edu/jmde/index.php/jmde_1/article/view/68/71
Having her call out the practices that were engrained in me was eye opening. It was liberating to be able to move past these to be a better evaluator.