How can we evaluate teaching materials?

How can we evaluate teaching materials?

1. Evaluation Ellis (1998)

   • Macro
     • evaluation of an overall project or programme
   • Micro
     • evaluation of an element that is part of a larger programme
   • Before -programme evaluation
     • External evaluation
       • Of the claims made on the cover
     • Internal evaluation
       • an in-depth look at two or more units, according to some criteria
   • Ellis' dimensions
     • Approach
     • Purpose
     • Focus
     • Scope
     • Evaluators
     • Timing
     • Types of information
     • Evaluation of a task
       • Description of the task: contents (input, procedures, language activity)
         • Planning the evaluation
           • Collecting information
             • Analysisof the information collected
               • Conclusions and recommendations

2. Phases in evaluation

   • Materials-as-workplan
     • Theoretical value
       • the way learners and teachers actually use and respond to different materials
     • Empirical value
       • Construct validity
     • Materials are evaluated without reference to their use in the classroom.
       • checklists
   • Materials-in-process
   • Outcomes from materials

3. Who evaluates?

   • The Learner
   • The Parent
   • The Teacher
   • The Head or College Principle
   • The Teacher Trainer
   • The Curriculum Committee Member
   • The inspector
   • The Educator Researcher
   • The Publisher
   • The Materials Designer

4. What should we examine?

   • Publication
     • Place of the learner's materials in any wider set of materials, published from of the learner's materials, subdivision of the learner's materials into section
   • Design
     • aims, principles of selection, subject matter and focus, type of learning, teaching activities
   • Levels of analysis of language teaching materials
     • What is there?
     • What is requiered of users?
     • What is implied?

5. How to relate the findings to our teaching contexts

   • Analysis of the target situation of use
   • Materials analysis
   • Match and evaluation
   • Action