Description: The American Evaluation Association’s Evaluator Competencies Framework (AEA, 2025) makes it clear that a competent evaluator in 2025 is knowledgeable about a wide range of evaluation approaches and theories of practice, and knows how to select and implement evaluation approaches and theories appropriately (Professional Practice Domain; Competency 1.3). Evaluators who are not aware of these approaches and theories are likely to repeat past mistakes and lack the foundation to build on past successes and exemplary evaluations.
Participants will be shown how to use generative Artificial (AI) to engage in an intensive study of foundational and contemporary approaches and core concepts in the profession and transdiscipline of evaluation. The synergy between Human Intelligence (HI) and AI instruction will attempt to inspire you to practice evaluation professionally and ethically as an evaluator who demonstrates integrity and respects all people, cultural groups, and sovereign nations. Through real-world applications and lessons learned, this course will highlight strategies for leveraging AI as a tool to support—not replace—critical human evaluative thinking.
Recommended Audience: The instructor’s assumption will be that most people attending the session may have some general familiarity with evaluation practice, and the foundational documents of the American Evaluation Association (AEA) including the AEA Evaluator Competencies, AEA Guiding Principles, AEA Public Statement on Cultural Competence in Evaluation, and the Program Evaluation Standards.