Faculty Development Workshops - A Project Final Report

• NCJ Number: 76905
• Author(s): H E Allen
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 61 pages
• Grant Number(s): 79-CD-AX-0002
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: San Jose State University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A final evaluation of the project conducted by the American Society of Criminology, San Jose State University, and the Office of Criminal Justice and Education to develop and deliver four training workshops to criminal justice educators is presented.

Abstract

The project was designed to improve the quality of teaching of theory, research, and statistics in criminal justice and criminology by instructing faculty on the most important research findings, improving the level of knowledge about research methodology, preparing enrollees to read and understand current social and behavioral science reports, and expanding the confidence and capability of enrollees. To achieve these goals, the project was designed to develop a program of readings, class materials, sample course outlines, and other curriculum components into four coherent workshops. The workshops were presented during the summer of 1980 at four locations throughout the country. To measure project achievement, an external evaluator was obtained prior to actual presentation. The subject matter of the four workshops included criminal justice evaluation techniques, the application of theory to criminal justice, statistics, and contemporary practices. The project director recommends that additional efforts of this nature be considered for the future, that funding should be structured so that attendees pay a part of the costs, and that alternate funding sources be explored. Based on questionnaires completed by program participants, the conclusion is drawn that teaching aids should be improved for future workshops. More effective learning would be promoted by increased lead time and communication. In addition, workshops should plan group discussions and projects that are oriented to individual participant need. An assessment of participants' interests should be conducted prior to the workshop. In general, the workshops were perceived very positively by participants and faculty. An appendix, containing evaluation questionnaires, and 22 tables are included.