Feedback is an innovative research, evaluation and information quality services provider, inspired by the challenges of sustainable development. By applying creativity, conscience, obsessive curiosity and uncompromising scientific rigor, we empower clients with the best possible empirical basis for taking action and making an impact.

Resources

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OECD Better Life Index

by Benita Williams
July 28th, 2011

Data_vis

For those people who are interested in Data visualization, and measures of quality of life – Here is a neat resource and a truly elegant example of what can be done with data.

What’s Your Better Life Index?

Your Better Life Index is designed to let you visualize and compare some of the key factors – like education, housing, environment, and so on – that contribute to well-being in OECD countries. It’s an interactive tool that allows you to see how countries perform according to the importance you give to each of 11 topics that make for a better life. Unfortunately no information is available about South Africa, but I still think it is worth a visit!

I also share some other information about “Beautiful Information” and Data visualization here

Resources

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Bridging the Know-Do Gap

by Terence Beney
June 30th, 2011

The-Knowledge-Translation-Toolkit

The Knowledge Translation Toolkit is a new book published by the IDRC that “provides a thorough overview of what knowledge translation (KT) is and how to use it most effectively to bridge the “know–do” gap between research, policy, practice, and people.”

The utilization of evaluation output is a key concern for evaluators. The “Toolkit” is a clear and helpful immersion in the theories, tools, and strategies that have emerged in attempts to encourage and enable evidence-informed decision-making. The book covers an array of crucial KT enablers — from context mapping to evaluative thinking — supported by practical examples, implementation guides, and references. Edited by Gavin Bennett and Nasreen Jessani the content draws from the experience of specialists in relevant disciplines around the world, with the aim of enhancing the capacity and motivation of researchers to use KT and to use it well.

Open access to the e-book at the IDRC website.

THE EDITORS

Gavin Bennett is a journalist, author, and strategic communication consultant.

Nasreen Jessani is and advisor on the WHO Knowledge Translation and Policy Task Force and was formerly a Program Officer at IDRC’s Regional Office for Eastern and Southerm Africa, based in Nairoboi.

News & Events

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2011 ANA Results Released

by Benita Williams
June 29th, 2011

ANA Report

Yesterday the Department of Basic Education released the 2011 Annual National Assessment (ANAs) results for grade 3, 6, and 9. The detailed report can be found on the FEDSAS website.

Some highlights from the Statement on the Release of the Annual National Assessments Results for 2011 by Mrs Angie Motshekga are provided on Benita Williams’ blog. The full statement van be found here.

The ANA results shared in the press release are as follow:

In Grade 3, the national average performance in Literacy, stands at 35%. In Numeracy our learners are performing at an average of 28%. Provincial performance in these two areas is between 19% and 43%, the highest being the Western Cape, and the lowest being Mpumalanga.

In Grade 6, the national average performance in Languages is 28%. For Mathematics, the average performance is 30%. Provincial performance in these two areas ranges between 20% and 41%, the highest being the Western Cape, and the lowest being Mpumalanga.

In terms of the different levels of performance, in Grade 3, 47% of learners achieved above 35% in Literacy, and 34% of learners achieved above 35% in numeracy.

In the case of Grade 6, 30% of learners achieved above 35% in Languages, and 31% of learners achieved above 35% in Mathematics.

This performance is something that we expected given the poor performance of South African learners in recent international and local assessments. But now we have our own benchmarks against which we can set targets and move forward.