Summative Evaluation Report

Christopher M. Birch
December 9, 2015
I.

Purpose of Evaluation
The purpose of this evaluation was to assess the usability and
effectiveness of the online learning unit designed to teach Forensic
Science students how to analyze fingerprints. The unit is accessed by
using the following link: http://birchedtc6323project2.weebly.com/

II.

Evaluation User Profiles

Evaluators consisted of three Forensic Science teachers that work at
United ISD in Laredo, TX. Out of the three, one teacher has a
Masters in Biology and one has a Bachelors in Forensic Science. All
three evaluators were qualified as all three have 4 or more years
teaching Forensic Science. The evaluators focused on the usability or
flow of the unit from one objective to the next and the effectiveness of
delivery of the content as a whole.

III.

Evaluation Location
Evaluators accessed the online learning unit through a classroom
computer that had internet access and appropriate browser plug-ins,
Abode Flash Player. All teachers accessed the online learning unit
and completed the online evaluation survey during their planning
period.

IV.

Evaluation Methods
Each evaluator navigated the online learning unit. He/she watched
the corresponding videos, worked on the practice exercises,

completed the objective quizzes, and solved the mock crime scene.
After successful completion, he/she completed an online survey via
Google Forms. The survey consisted of questions designed to rate
the usability and effectiveness of the online learning unit. A Likert
scale was used of 1 to 5 was used, with 1 being Strongly Disagree
and 5 being Strongly Agree.
V.

Evaluation Results
The following chart contains the survey questions and an average
score from the evaluators.
Survey Question

Average Score

1. The website was visually appealing.

4.33

2. The website was easy to navigate.

4.33

3. The videos were informative and

engaging.

4.66

4. The videos helped me understand the

concepts of fingerprint analysis.

4.33

5. The narrator spoke clearly and at a

reasonable pace.

4.33

6. The practice activities were engaging.

4.33

7. The practice activities helped to

understand the concepts shown in the
videos.
8. The quizzes helped me verify that I
understood the information or concepts
shown.
9. There were no technical difficulties that
prevented me from completing the online
learning unit.

4.66
4.66
4.33

10. I was able to use what I had learned in

the lessons 1-3 to solve the mock crime
scene.
11. The overall length of the online unit is
adequate.

VI.

4.33
4.33

Reaction to Evaluation Results

Evaluation results were well within my expected range. Having taught
Forensic Science for the past 6 years has given me a tremendous
amount of information. The score averaged from 4.33 to 4.66. This
means that the evaluators agreed with all questions asked about the
online learning unit. The three evaluators have developed the district
scope and sequence for Forensic Science and have many years of
experience in teaching fingerprint analysis. One reviewer did
comment on the mock crime scene. They said that it did not have the
same level of engagement as the videos and practice exercises.
Another evaluator added that more examples are needed for students
to practice with.

VII.

Action Response and Revisions

After reading the various comments from the evaluators I know I am
on the right track in the development of this online learning unit.
There are areas that need attention but the main concepts are solid
and the layout of the website is consistent.
Revisions:
I would like to redo the videos because I feel that they are very simple
and basic. I used Screencast-O-Matic to record the videos. I would
like to record the videos using a more powerful program like
Camtasia, which would allow more features like transitions and
callouts.

I believe that I can find a web based matching application to give

students more opportunity to practice identifying the different
fingerprint classes, sub-classes and minutiae.
In response to the mock crime scene, I would like to incorporate a
flash based object. I would like for the learner to feel like they are
actually solving the case like a crime scene investigator. It would
make it visually appealing and more engaging than a pdf file.