Evaluation of UEW’s Bachelor of Arts Social Studies Education programme using the context, input, process and product (CIPP) model

Abstract

This research was designed to use the CIPP model to evaluate UEW’s B. A. Social Studies Education programme. The rationale is to evaluate the effectiveness and relevance of the B.A. Social Studies Education programme at UEW based on the implementation of an in-depth framework and to provide evidence-based improvements in curriculum. The research adopted a mixed-methods design involving the collection of both numeric and non-numeric data while the numeric data were collected using questionnaire. The non-numeric data were collected using interviews. A total of 118 participants including lecturers and students of the Department of Social Studies Education at the University of Education, Winneba, were involved in the research. The evidence shows that the UEW’s B. A. Social Studies Education programme has unique content that was defined by two major contexts: the professional understanding of Social Studies Education as a problem-solving subject, and the socio-political events within the global and national arena. In terms of inputs, facilities were largely conducive and lecturers were of very good quality although library resources and digital infrastructure need improvement. In terms of process, the training combines theoretical and practical skills, and teacher-student relationships were identified as good quality. In terms of products, the evidence shows that the UEW’s B. A. Social Studies Education Programme prepares students for professional roles across different fields with positive outcomes. However, there are concerns that the products appear to be deficient in the affective domain, and that the implementation of the programme is affected by large class sizes. It is argued that the UEW’s B. A. Social Studies Education programme is unique - considering the subject as problem-solving in nature and focusing on citizenship education by building competencies that make the products of the programme useful in many different fields. It is recommended that the Department of Social Studies Education, reviews the curriculum regularly to improve the quality of the products.