The PACE program has recently completed a multi-year evaluation to assess the impact and effectiveness of the program. Read the findings here.
Based on the principles of reciprocity and collaboration, Macquarie University’s Professional and Community Engagement (PACE) program provides undergraduate students with work-integrated learning experiences as part of their degree. In 2017, we began an evaluation of the PACE program to assess the impact of the program for students, partners, the University, and the community, and support quality assurance for program improvement and development. This institution-wide evaluation was made possible through the collaboration, commitment, and support of stakeholders across and beyond Macquarie University. To read the full report and information sheets, please go to the Teach webpage.
The evaluation considered both the processes and the outcomes of PACE and was designed to:
- Ensure that PACE was accountable to internal and external stakeholders by producing credible evidence on outcomes for students, partners, the University, and the broader community.
- Establish collaborative and reflective learning processes that can be used to continuously enhance and develop the PACE program.
- Develop sustainable evaluation activities by embedding data collection tools and processes into PACE program delivery.
The evaluation is structured around five high level questions:
- How much did the PACE program do?
- How effectively is PACE being implemented?
- What are the critical program components and barriers?
- To what extent does PACE contribute to outcomes for students, partners, the University, and the wider community?
- Who benefits most from PACE and in what circumstances?
Findings
Overall, the findings provide strong evidence for the effectiveness and impact of the PACE program for students and partners. The findings also show the impact of WIL for students, graduates, partners, and universities, and identify the critical program components for sustainably delivering work-integrated learning at an institutional scale.
Moving forward
The PACE program will use the findings and recommendations of the evaluation to further enhance the program. Survey tools developed for the evaluation have also now been embedded in TEDS and can be used by PACE Unit Convenors to support student reflection and ongoing evaluation of PACE units.
Want to know more?
Please visit the TEACH webpage to access the evaluation report and information sheets. For further information, contact pace.research@mq.edu.au
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