EDUC 816: Prep for Classes 7-8

Hello,

This time, I am writing a bit closer to our next class, trusting that by now, you have completed the bulk of the assigned readings. The following activity is not intended to take you much time — but will greatly enhance our class:

As you consider the types of intervention strategies outlined in Chapter 8, reflect on a few health education/promotion programs and initiatives in which you have either been involved, or with which you are fairly familiar. Were these programs/initiatives well designed — i.e., were the goals, objectives, theoretical foundations, approaches/activities, needs data/analyses, stakeholders, resources, organizational context, political climate, and the chosen evaluation strategy all aligned? Was the chosen intervention strategy a good fit for these programs/initiatives?

Pick two of the programs/interventions that you reflected on to bring (along with your thoughts about them) to our class discussion. Preferably, pick the more successful, innovative or intriguing ones, and preferably two that correspond with different intervention strategy types from our textbook.

Describe each of the two programs/initiatives in 1-2 short paragraphs (no more than a page), print each description on a separate piece of paper, and bring these printed descriptions to class. If you happen to have a document that outlines the programs/initiatives in more detail, bring those along as well. (These will be for your own reference; I will not be collecting them.)

I would like to start our Friday class by revisiting the role of evaluation in program design and development; then we will get busy with small group work around defining and planning programs; we will deconstruct some sample programs as well. We should be able to fit in the two planned Perspective presentations as well.

On Saturday morning, Jacqueline will entice us by a contextualized session on how APA can benefit our professional lives; and we will finish off the conversation from Friday. The time right before and after lunch will be dedicated to the four remaining Perspectives presentations. And I am protecting the rest of the afternoon for addressing questions about the Applied Project: I am happy to discuss the more general questions as a group first, followed by one-on-time with those who are interested. (If you are, please be prepared for a relatively short, focused conversation — to allow everyone to have their most pressing questions answered.)

I look forward to seeing everyone again this Friday!

Michal




Photo provided by Svilen Milev.