The Importance of Evaluation

The Importance of Evaluation

Alina Yang

April 21, 2015

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Psychology 437

Evaluation is a process that assesses a program. It involves gathering and analyzing information about a program’s activities and outcomes. The evaluation process should be open-minded to include the overall planning, implement changes that can contribute to success. The purpose is to improve its effectiveness and provide training (Kagan, p. 252). Having evaluation in place in an important concept to have in any situation. An evaluation process takes place by evaluating morals, values, and issues that include a much more bigger picture. When an individual or program is being acknowledged for who they are and what they stand for then it can lead to success. Being able to build a framework and having a good structure involves families, neighborhoods, and communities to come together (Kagan, p. 255). Therefore, it is important to become educated and involved in the community.

        It is important to regularly evaluate activities to see if they are effective as they should be (Kagan, p. 257). Evaluation can help a people identify areas that may need improvement or to be able to help a person reach their goals more efficiently. Also, when people share their results about what is more and less effective, they will be able to help enrich environmental education. Evaluation allows people to demonstrate their program’s success or progress. The information that is gathered will allow them to communicate the program's impact on others more accurately.

There are many different types of evaluation; one type of evaluation is performance evaluation, which could be used to help manage important human resource decisions. Performance evaluations provide input that can help with important decision-making such as promotions, job transfers, and terminations. Additionally, it may also be helpful to identify the different types of training and developments that are needed.

Furthermore, in college there are teacher evaluations which students are required to fill out at the end of every semester. Although, teachers were educated to gain the skills needed to teach in a classroom, there may be some teachers that lack the skills needed to present the material (Fetterman, p. 4). Which is why the idea of students evaluating and grading their teacher’s performance came into place. This idea would be helpful to teachers who want to learn more on how they can help slower students and those who would like the helpful criticism. These evaluations are only based on the student’s opinion about their teacher’s performance, which can be beneficial for both teachers and students. Since students are the main source of information in the learning environment.

In addition, evaluation is also done in nursing homes or any type of health care setting. Being a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home and by doing my clinical hours at Baltimore Washington Medical Center. It is important to be patient and responsive to the medical needs or a patient. To identify their needs, it is important for the medical staff to understand their medical history after making an accurate diagnosis. It was required that nurses understood the health condition, treatment, and medication the patients need. Therefore, it is important to properly evaluate the patient and the assessment that is in place. It is important to work together with the doctor and the medical staff to be able to give the appropriate medical assistance to the patient in need. While evaluating the nursing care it is important to consider factors such as monitoring devices, oxygenation and ventilation, nutritional need of the patient, elimination processes, renal failure, colostomy, infection, environmental management or special care for a dying patient.