The CES is glad to announce a pair of webinars delivered on April 20 in French by Benoît Gauthier and Simon Roy, and on April 27 in English by Shelley Borys and Natalie Kishchuk on Learning circles for advanced professional development in evaluation.

Studies of Canadian evaluators have consistently shown dissatisfaction with opportunities for advanced training, suggesting a need to diversify the forms of professional development available to seasoned evaluators. This webinar will describe an alternative learning model: learning circles for advanced professional development in evaluation. Learning circles bring together experienced practitioners in structured collaborative learning cycles about topics of mutual interest. The presenters have experimented with this mode of learning over several cycles, and will share what they have learned about purpose, process, and outcomes for professional development. It is hoped that this model may be of interest to other evaluators, especially: those residing in locations distant from the usual training venues; CEs in the context of the maintenance requirements of the designation; and the general evaluation community.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 20 (FRENCH) and April 27 (ENGLISH), 2016 from 12 pm to 1 pm Eastern Time

WHERE: CES webinars take place online using the GoToWebinar platform. You can check your computer's requirements.

COST: Free for all CES members.

Facilitators

• Benoît Gauthier
• Simon Roy
• Shelley Borys
• Natalie Kishchuk

Learning objectives

By the end of this Webinar, you will be able to:

1. Describe the role of learning circles among the range of training methods
2. Identify the advantages of learning circles
3. Understand how to organize and implement a learning circle
4. Avoid pitfalls in implementing learning circles.

In addition, this webinar aims to strengthen capacities in line with the following Competencies for Canadian Evaluation Practice:

• 1.6 Aware of self as an evaluator (knowledge, skills, dispositions) and reflects on personal evaluation practice (competencies and areas for growth)
• 1.7 Pursues professional networks and self-development to enhance evaluation practice
• 3.9 Shares evaluation expertise
• 5.8 Uses collaboration / partnering skills
• 5.9 Attends to issues of diversity and culture
• 5.10 Demonstrates professional credibility.