Self-directed learning

Other ways of learning

There are many ways to support learning that don't involve formal courses. These include processes and structures to support peer learning, such as communities of practice, dialogues, learning circles, reflective practice, and supervised practice in teams. Many organisations also offer internships, mentoring programs, and other processes to support learning through working with more experienced team members.

Here are some examples of other ways of developing your skills: 

  • Self-paced or self-guided learning: The online space plays an increasingly important role in meeting training needs in evaluation. You can find multiple courses, videos, blogs, and books online. The BetterEvaluation resource library is a good place to start.

  • Read blogs: Blogs are a great way to keep up with the latest trends and discussions in your field. You can actively participate in discussions, share your insights, and ask questions. For example, the American Evaluation Association has a blog called AEA365 that provides daily tips and resources for evaluators.

  • Learn from evaluation journals: These are academic publications that focus on research and methodology in the field of evaluation. You can find a list of evaluation-specific journals here.

  • Participate in online communities of practice (CoPs): These are groups of people who share a common interest and use online platforms to connect and learn from each other. You can actively participate in discussions, share your insights, and ask questions. Build relationships with other members and take advantage of learning resources available in the community. For example, the Natural Language Processing Community of Practice brings together people with careers in evaluation with Artificial Intelligence experts and data responsibility advocates.

  • Leveraging your social media networks: Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook can be valuable sources of information and networking opportunities. Follow thought leaders in your field, participate in relevant groups, and engage in discussions to expand your knowledge and connections.

  • Reading evaluation reports: Reading evaluation reports from different organizations can provide insights into various evaluation methods and approaches.

  • Book or journal clubs: Joining or starting a book or journal club can be a great way to delve deeper into specific topics and engage in thoughtful discussions with peers. For example, you might start a club focused on reading and discussing articles from a specific evaluation journal.

For more information on other ways to learn, you can visit the BetterEvaluation Capacity Strengthening page.

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