All delegates will receive a hard copy of the ChangeBusters game and facilitator pack, plus three example case studies.
Overview
A ‘Theory of Change’ describes how and why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context. It can map links between desired goals and designed interventions by focusing on outcomes. It is recommended by HE sector organisations such as Office for Students and TASO and integral to the completion of Access & Participation Plans.
The ChangeBusters game supports users to construct a ‘Theory of Change’ based on evidence from a recent AdvanceHE literature review on student outcomes. This resource uses game-based learning to develop evaluation literacy. By playing the game, users will understand the stages of a Theory of Change, build confidence, explore evaluative questions, and extend learning through application to their own contexts. The goal is better intervention design and evaluation which in turn should lead to better student outcomes.
This day event aims to support those tasked with building evaluation literacy in HE organisations. It will provide an overview of how Theory of Change might be used in access, success and progression spaces of the student lifecycle. Liz and Nathaniel will facilitate ChangeBusters game playing to model how it could be used. Attendees will then learn how to facilitate a ChangeBusters session in their own organisations. All attendees will receive their own physical copy of the ChangeBusters game.
Aims
This event aims to support those tasked with building evaluation literacy in HE organisations to understand a Theory of Change and how to build confidence in others by using the ChangeBusters game.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the workshop, attendees will be able to
- Understand evidence-informed intervention design.
- Understand the stages of a Theory of Change.
- Confidently theorise how change happens in pre-determined scenarios.
- Confidently facilitate ChangeBusters sessions in their own organisations.
Who should attend?
This workshop is aimed at those leading the design and implementation of HE interventions in all areas of the student lifecycle (access, success, progress) and would like to build evaluation literacy across a delivery team/s. This includes a wide range of academic and professional service staff and those in Student Unions/Associations, evaluators/evaluation managers, and those tasked with leading access and participation/ widening participation teams in HE institutions.
Nathaniel Pickering
Programme
09:30-10:00 - Registration
10:00-10:15 - Welcome & Introductions
10:15-10:30 - Overview of the AHE Evidence Base
10:30-11:00 - Overview of a Theory of Change and the HE sector
11:00-11:15 - Break
11:15-12:45 - Play ChangeBusters
12:45-13:30 - Lunch
13:30-14:00 - Reflections on game playing
14:00-15:00 How to facilitate ChangeBusters in your own institutions (Using Facilitator Pack prompts)
15:00-15:15 - Break
15:15-16:00 - Application of Learning/Next Steps
16:00 - Close
Are you interested in delivering this workshop within your institution?
We are able to deliver the workshop to a group of people at your institution to support change across a number of faculties and departments.