Conceptual Understanding of Monitoring and Evaluation

The first module of this course will be preliminary groundwork dealing with the basic components of monitoring, evaluation using a participatory approach. It will address these components of monitoring and evaluation from the specific perspective of adult education programmes.

After completing this unit, you should be familiar with:

• The concept of monitoring, its features and characteristics

• Component of evaluation, when and why it is needed

• The differences between monitoring and evaluation

• The benefits and characteristics of participatory monitoring and development, in the context of adult education programmes

Both monitoring and evaluation did not evolve exclusively as tools to optimize adult education. They have been integral to most public sector undertakings. The Module will analyse how monitoring and evaluation can best suit adult education.

The crucial element of monitoring and evaluation is participation. The Module emphasizes methods that will involve the people (the learners in the case of adult education programmes) to best utilize monitoring and evaluation as tools to ensure efficiency and transparency.

The module will explicate participatory monitoring and evaluation, by drawing parallels with conventional approaches. It will then introduce how participatory monitoring and evaluation methods can further facilitate adult education programmes.