Last week at The Challenge of Measuring Social Impact at Hub Westminster I asked about the difference between outputs and outcomes. As I now understand it outputs are the kind of things you can easily put onto tick lists - e.g. "How many people came on the course?". Outcomes are more subtle, may be unpredictable, and often take years to emerge.
Outcomes
I relate to outcomes far more than I relate to outputs, perhaps because of the way they emerge naturally. I think of a couple of favourites.
One relates to the Fantsuam Foundation microfinance programme and a story John tells. It is about a woman who stood up to her husband (very politely) in a village meeting and explainied why, unlike him, she very much wanted the micro-finance programme to continue. This story has great depth when the cultural context is explained in detail. and the level of personal empowerment that she was demonstrating is more thoroughly understood.
The other example relates to the Teachers Talking programme, where I introduced teachers from rural schools (with no electricity and precious few resources of any kind) to computers and the idea of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) and what it can do. About a year after one of the courses I got an email, via an intermediary, from one of the participants.
Like many rural teachers she was also a small scale farmer and community leader. She was experimenting with a new crop and wanted some specific information from the Internet about maximising its value. To me this outcome was encouraging evidence that we were on the right track for overcoming the digital divide. We couldn't provide infrastructure and equipment to our rural teachers, but we could give them a vision for accessing information from the Internet and the ability to do it through others.
Outcome - Peoples-uni.org
When I first introduced Richard Heller and John Dada I had no idea what the outcome would be. It was just that, from what I knew of each of them, I felt good things would happen if I helped them to collaborate - so I did. We didn't have any planned outputs, and I can't imagine how we might have got any funding to help it all get started. The outcome was the start of Peoples-uni.org (and its first two pilot courses).
Today I got the latest update - which lifted my spirits - but also got me thinking again about the difference between outputs and outcomes. I copied the update below, because good news is worth sharing - and also in case you know anyone who might like to apply.
For both New and Returning students
Please fill the course application form (http://courses.peoples-uni.org/course/application_form_returning_student.php) to send in your application for this coming semester. Course application closes on the 18th February 2013.
Important information for new students:
Please note: Only those who have completed the quiz requirements on the demonstration module - Foundations of Public Health will be able to enrol.
Important information for returning students:
Using the application form (http://courses.peoples-uni.org/course/application_form_returning_student.php) you can indicate if you wish to enrol in the MMU MPH programme and if you are requesting a bursary. If you are already enrolled in the MMU MPH programme, you still need to submit the form, but only to select your course modules. If you do not want to apply for the MMU MPH programme, you still need to send an application if you wish to study next semester. Applications closes February 18th.
Bursary and Scholarship:
If it will be difficult for you to pay the full fee and you have been unable to obtain sponsorship PU may be able to assist by accepting payment by instalments or, in exceptional cases, offering a bursary. Please see the information on Payment of Fees on the website at http://www.peoples-uni.org/book/course-fees. To apply for bursary, please fill the Scholarship section in the application form.
If you have any questions to ask, please direct them to education@helpdesk.peoples-uni.org
Regards,
Peoples-uni Administrator.