Although the ADDIE model includes evaluation in each step of the process, it also dedicates one phase to evaluating your course. Evaluation is important to ensure learning objectives are met, as well as improve future offerings of your instruction. To insure continuous improvement of your course, perform both formative and summative evaluations.
Formative evaluations allow for adjustments during each step of the ADDIE process and throughout implementation of your course. These modifications make certain the content and instructional strategies meet your students’ needs and learning characteristics. In an online course, formative evaluations are especially important because the students have a learning curve inherent to technology. This evaluation method is like having someone look over your shoulder during the development and implementation phases to help you catch things you miss.
An example of this type of evaluation is an anonymous survey to collect periodic feedback from students. The comments help improve the course content and clarify any misconceptions or vague information while the course is in process.
Summative Evaluations (evaluations at the conclusion of a course) assist you to determine the effectiveness of your core content and activities in helping students attain the learning objectives. Course evaluations, final exams, and final projects are examples of summative evaluations. Such evaluations offer opportunities for quality assurance and help you decide what needs to be changed: the content, the activities, or the mode of delivery. Summative evaluations provide a starting point for improving and redesigning the course according to the learner’s needs.