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Sample Activity
Establishing an Evidence-based Adult Education System
3. The Definition of Evidence-Based Practice (25 minutes)
- Introduce this session by referring to pages 1-3 in the paper (Establishing an Evidence-based Adult Education System). The rationale for discussing the definition provided in the paper is that the term is relatively new to many in our field yet evidence-based practice (EBP) is being heavily promoted and programs may be required to demonstrate how their services for learners are based on evidence. The definition used in this paper is that used by the Assistant Secretary of Education, Grover Whitehurst.
- Post newsprint with the definition of EBP on it and a question for discussion:
Evidence-based practice is:
…the integration of professional wisdom with the best available empirical evidence in making decisions about how to deliver instruction.
Question:
What does this definition mean to you, and, if adopted, what are the implications for your program?
- Ask participants to discuss the question (either in whole group if less than five participants, or in two or more small groups if group is more than five) for 20 minutes. No need to write on newsprint; this is just a free-flowing discussion.