Reinforcement Activity 7

 In the evaluation phase of course development, many individuals are involved such as instructional designers, educators, subject matter experts, learners, etc. Each of these individuals can provide important information in the creation of courses such as past experiences, theory, structure, perspectives, and more. Each member plays an important role in course design and should be encouraged and appreciated for their contributions. Instructional designers play a key role in developing the flow and structure of the course ensuring that the learning objectives align with the intended learning goals of the course. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) provide their expertise from past experiences and current knowledge to best support the development of the course. Educators can provide crucial information from their teaching experiences and can help in the identification of which content in the courses needs adjusting or updating. The SMEs are who the team will confer with about possible activities, content, etc. concerning the topics of the course. Last but not least, the learners provide information such as feedback that’s valuable to better understand student experiences such as engagement level, learning outcomes, accessibility, etc. 

Focusing on psychometric data, reliability, and validity are important to predict which behaviors may arise from individuals' decisions. In terms of reliability, the assessments such as quizzes, surveys, etc. that are conducted in courses must be reliable and consistent in measuring student’s progress. These assessments must also be able to accurately show the learner’s gained knowledge and performance. Regarding validity, these assessment tools must also measure the learning outcomes and behaviors accurately. Without validity in courses, there’s no way of knowing the effectiveness and weaknesses of the course itself. 

This level of evaluation is necessary as it brings a team together to ensure all areas of a course are effective, reliable, and valid to the learner's needs. Without evaluation courses are subject to being ineffective and may potentially risk student’s needs, engagement, and experiences. Incorporating psychometric data like reliability and validity is also critical for ensuring a positive impact on student learning.