What is the purpose of evaluation and revision in instructional design?

• A. To improve instructional quality through formative and summative evaluation.
• B. To delay updates to the curriculum indefinitely.
• C. To increase the cost without improving outcomes.
• D. To reduce learner feedback opportunities.

Answer: (A)

Evaluation and revision in instructional design are about making learning experiences better by using information gathered from how learners perform and engage. Formative evaluation happens along the way, during development or pilots, to spot issues and make immediate improvements. Summative evaluation happens after implementation to judge overall effectiveness and outcomes. When results from both types of evaluation are reviewed, revisions are made to the objectives, content, activities, and assessments to better align with what learners need and to achieve the intended learning goals. This approach keeps materials current, effective, and efficient, and it highlights where changes will actually improve learning.

Why the other options don’t fit: delaying updates undermines improvement and responsiveness; increasing cost without better outcomes ignores the purpose of using data to guide changes; reducing learner feedback removes a key source of information that drives meaningful revisions.