Pre-workshop preparation (optional)

Homework: Interventions

  • Bring one or two interventions you’d like to focus on during the workshop.

Event agenda

09:30    Arrival & refreshments

10:00    Presentation: Why we evaluate

Session outline:   

  • Find out about the importance of evaluation in the higher education sector.
  • Learn how theories of change contribute to effective monitoring and evaluation, and discover the benefits of a collaborative approach to theory of change development.

10:15    Workshop: Understanding theory of change (part 1)

Session outline:

  • Learn about the key components of a theory of change, focusing on identifying the situation and setting aims.
  • Explore practical examples from the higher education sector.
  • Discuss your own theory of change with other participants and get support from the TASO team to start completing the TASO Core Theory of Change template.

11:00    Break

11:30   Workshop: Understanding theory of change (part 2)

Session outline:

  • Discover how to identify impact, outcomes, and activities in your theory of change.
  • Learn the difference between outcomes and outputs, as well as the distinction between impact and aims.
  • Get introduced to TASO resources, including mapping tools, the Data Infrastructure Guide, and the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
  • Time to further develop your Core Theory of Change with group discussion and TASO team support.

12:30    Lunch

13:30    Workshop: Understanding theory of change (part 3)

Session outline:

    • Explore the elements of inputs, outputs, rationale, and assumptions in the theory of change.
    • Understand the importance of using evidence to inform your causal pathways, and where to source this information.
    • Learn how to navigate challenges in mapping multiple interventions.

14:30    Break

15:00    Workshop: Beyond diagnosis

Session outline: 

    • Discover the next steps in the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: planning, measuring, and reflecting.
    • Participate in an activity to develop research questions and outcome measures based on your theory of change.
    • Learn about stakeholder mapping to aid in the implementation and interpretation of evaluation findings.
    • Find out about future sessions to further support your evaluation journey.

16:30    Reflections & wrap up