Shared Measures for Evaluating Common Outcomes of Informal STEM Education Experiences

August 15th, 2018 | RESEARCH

Since the late 2000s, interest in the development and use of shared measures in the informal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education (ISE) field has increased. The intent is to build the capacity of evaluators to measure common outcomes of ISE experiences. We begin this chapter with a definition of shared measures, a description of related technical qualities of these measures, and a discussion of benefits and concerns around the use of shared measures. We then review recent conversations and developments around shared measures, including examples of observational and survey tools to measure common ISE outcomes. Three case studies of shared measure efforts provide an in-depth look into the development of shared survey measures and highlight promising lessons for future initiatives. Building from these successes, we outline recommendations for the future of shared measures in ISE. These include adopting a multifaceted approach to enhancing measurement capacity among evaluators, supporting new kinds of collaborative work among evaluators, and increasing access to instruments and tools.

Document

NDE-Ch3-GrackNelson-et-al.-FINAL-Sharable-Version.pdf

Team Members

Amy Grack Nelson, Author, Science Museum of Minnesota
Megan Goeke, Author, Science Museum of Minnsota
Ryan Auster, Author, Museum of Science, Boston
Karen Peterman, Author, Karen Peterman Consulting, Co.
Alexander Lussenhop, Author, Museum of Science, Boston

Citation

Identifier Type: ISSN
Identifier: 1097-6736

Publication: New Directions for Evaluation
Volume: 161

Funders

Funding Source: NSF
Funding Program: PRIME
Award Number: 1335883
Funding Amount: $249,931

Funding Source: NSF
Funding Program: AISL
Award Number: 1423050
Funding Amount: $202,752

Funding Source: IMLS
Funding Program: National Leadership Grants for Museums
Award Number: MG-20-14-0060-14
Funding Amount: $460,292

Related URLs

Collaboration in the 21st Century (C2C): Measuring Essential Skills for the STEM Workforce
Collaboration for Ongoing Visitor Experience Studies (COVES)
Evalfest

Tags

Audience: Evaluators | Museum | ISE Professionals
Discipline: Education and learning science | General STEM
Resource Type: Peer-reviewed article | Research and Evaluation Instruments | Research Products
Environment Type: Exhibitions | Informal | Formal Connections | Media and Technology | Professional Development | Conferences | Networks | Public Programs