Generic Social Outcomes

The Learning Network: planning for outcomes and measuring impact

During 2007/08 MLA East of England set up a Learning Network of 11 museums, libraries and archives who wanted to actively develop their work around planning for outcomes and demonstrating impact. The network explored the use of the generic learning outcomes within Inspiring Learning for All and the recently launched generic social outcomes.

Participants attended 4 workshops facilitated by consultants Cathy Herman and Rebecca Linley which covered the process of: planning for outcomes, gathering evidence of outcomes, analysing evidence and articulating outcomes. In between workshops participants tried out activities based around real life projects within their organisations and then shared their learning with the group. After the final workshop participants wrote up case studies and collated resources to share with museum, library and archive colleagues across the region.

For further information: click on the Learning Network

For ideas of ways to collect evidence click on Resource Bank or look at the East of England Museum Hub Evaluation Tool Kit.

And read the case studies:

Bedford Museum: extended schools - findings

Cambridgeshire: community archives

Essex Libraries: Daddy Cool - questionnaire
Essex Libraries: Ongar Booktalk Group

Essex Record Office: reminiscence network

Hertfordshire Museums: Thomas Clarkson school project

Kings Lynn Museums: activity for Aspergers children

Luton Museums: free school transport scheme
Luton Museums: volunteers – letter, questionnaire

Norfolk Libraries: teenage book group - focus group notes, library staff questionnaire, partner questionnaire, teenagers questionnaire

North Hertfordshire Museums: homeless access project - findings