Tools, Products, Services

Reports [approximately one double-spaced typewritten page) should describe tools, products,
andlor scn ICCf found useful b) pracu cing eval uators Reportv should also include the context
o] lise and ~ uJliclell l informauon Jar interested read ers 10COII/uct the user directly Jar more
dctatlcd mformauon, that is, name, address, and telephone number: Books, computer software
and hardware, and lie\\. techniques or old ones used mile\\, l\tI)~ tire JIW a [ew ofthe ttems that
/110)' be descnbcd

THE CHARRETTE AS A TOOL FOR

COLLECTING INFORMATION

Selection of an appropriate information-collection strategy is an important

aspect of any evaluation. The choice is based on considerations such as cost ,
reliability and validity, relevance, and political advisability (Worthen &
Sanders, 1987). An evaluator needs to be familiar with various strategies to
be able to select and use the most appropriate method or methods.
One information-collection strategy is the Charrette. "Charrette" is a
French word meaning "an intensive group planning effort in an open forum
format to achieve creative solutions" (Holt, 1974). It has been used mainly
by architects to elicit community input when designing public buildings. It
is a brainstorming type of method for generating and prioritizing ideas and
is ideal for input from a large group. The selling is typically a large room
with small groups of six to eight persons seated in circles, around tables, or
in facing rows of chairs. Each group leader collects ideas from a small group,
then takes the list to a different group which adds to, refines, and prioritizes
the input from the first group. The groups stay put; the group leaders and lists
move. The groups need to be numbered or arranged in such a way that the
leaders easily may be directed to move.
Group leaders may be preassigned or selected by the groups. Each leader
is given one or more pieces of newsprint and a marker. A writing surface
(easel, table, or cardboard backing) is needed. The leader records the ideas
from the group on the newsprint and, at a signal, takes the list to a new group.

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 35

There, the leader explains the ideas and asks for comments, additions,
revisions, and finally prioritization. Groups may then select a new leader,
receive a new discussion topic, and repeat the procedure.
The time neededvaries from an hour to eight days, dependingon the topic.
A weekend or every evening for a week is a typical time schedule for a
community discussion of vocational education for the handicapped (Rice,
1980).
A strength of the Charrette is that it fosters a sense of commitment and
cohesiveness and positive feelings of involvement. Ideas lose their original
identity and becomegroup property.Another positive feature isthat problems
may be broken into small parts,with small groups consideringsingle aspects.
The flexible time and low costs are advantages. Limitationsare the need for
a skilled Charrette manager for a large group and the possibility of wasting
time and effort if goals arc not clear. Relatively little research has been done
on the effectiveness of the Charrette, although it appears to be useful for
planning programs and services as well as buildings (Rice, 1980). For
information on the Charrelte, readers may contactJulia A.Gamon, IowaState
University, Agricultural Education, 217 Curtiss Hall, Ames, IA 500 11 .

REFERENCES
Holt, J. (t 974) Involving the users In school planning School Review;82(4) .706.730.
Rice, E. (1980) Access 10 vocational educatton. A planning system [or local secondary and
post-secondary program and [aclilty accesstbtluy Step 3' Generating strategies. Wa~hin£.
ton, DC: Office of 'Alc.llional and Adult Education.
Worthen, B. R, & Sanders, J R. (1987) Educational evaluauon: Alternauve approaches and
practical guidelines. New York' Longman

NEW SOFTWARE

The MESA Psychometric Laboratory at the University of Chicago De-

partment of Education,directed by Benjamin D. Wright, has a new software
program for Rasch measurement.The program, FACETS, permits objective
measurement of the laboratory work of medical technicians who arc seeking
certification. Development of FACETS was undertaken by the Board of
Registry of theAmerican Associationof Clinical Pathologists. The computer
program was written by John Linace of the MESAPsychometricLaboratory.