What is Illuminative Evaluation

This chapter will examine the approach taken in the evaluation of a large-scale feasibility trial of the production, distribution, and use of learning objects (LOs). This was carried out by partners in several countries of Europe as part of the Context E-Learning with Broadband Technologies (CELEBRATE) project, coordinated by European Schoolnet. The project produced a large number of LOs and involved linking up commercial and ministry producers of LOs to make available their products to teachers in six countries. The chapter examines what it means to evaluate learning objects, given that they are both particular objects and a general idea, especially important given the dearth of empirical studies of the use of LOs. It then goes on to explore the way this was tackled strategically and tactically, bearing in mind a European context of distributed locations, different languages, and education systems.