Meso-Level Evaluation

Abstract

Arguably, the meso — or departmental — level of a blended language program is the most challenging to evaluate. In our review of the literature, we found little research to do with the ways modern language departments are structured, how they operate, or how they meet the demands of the institution and students. We did find, however, that departments are ‘usually the most important organizational level for defining institutional values, norms, and expectations’ (Kezar, 2013, pp. 158–159). We also found that departmental leadership and culture greatly influences innovation in teaching and the production of research (Edgar & Geare, 2013).