The starting point of EduPlan is the idea of the instrument SPEAK, which systematically records, prepares and analyses the changes and developments in the course of an educational programme.

 

Self Evaluation in Practice

SPEAK (Strategic Planning, Evaluation and Knowledge Networking) is a system which offers organisations and projects the capacity to self-evaluate, leading to a comprehensive understanding of the work, outputs and impacts of the organisation, and the facility to integrate these new understandings with improved strategic and work planning.

The SPEAK concept is implemented through a software package which is installed in each organisation. This system brings together a set of methods and procedures which allows organisations to:

• record and interpret a range of information that can greatly enhance capacity for internal evaluation and review
• capture the organisation's understanding of its operational environment
• capture the work efforts of all involved- staff, volunteers, board members- through multi-user inputs
• automatically produce annual and multi-annual comparative reports
• use the collected information and understanding to improve planning
• share results and learning with other organisations or with other projects in a programme.

The system can operate in a stand alone manner, for example in one project or department. However, a unique feature of SPEAK is that it can operate across multiple Projects within a larger Programme.

The information from each Project can be collated into a national Programme database, creating a database with the potential to understand the full Programme and its impacts, and most importantly to influence the direction of a particular Programme or Government Policy in an area.

Speak Methodology and Screenshots

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An overview of Speak's methodological framework. Projects work through an annual cycle whereby they identify challenges, describe their time commitments, examine quantitative and qualitative indicators, before assessing their impact on their community at large.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A screen shot of the main menu screen when using Speak. These key sections refer to the methodological framework that informs the system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A screen shot of a page within the operational environment section. The management team of this particular project are being asked to prioritise the key issues that they regard as facing their community in the current year.