Level 2 Evaluation

Level 2 evaluation depends on activities, tests, and assessments to evaluate whether participants have learned (shift in knowledge) and whether they can demonstrate the skill or behavior within the learning experience. Level 2 is relevant to you because as a facilitator you are responsible for making sure learning happens.

Performance on Activities

Learners’ performance on learning activities can provide you with feedback as to how well you are explaining content of the course or instructions.

If learners are struggling with providing accurate and complete responses to the activities, it may be a sign that the content was not covered adequately. If there is a content issue, you may need to revisit that part of the material to ensure adequate learning takes place.

Noted

Other areas that are addressed in many level 1 evaluations include course content (of which objectives are a part), course methodology, environment, and course administration. Many level 1 instruments also have a place for general comments and an item asking if the learner would recommend the course to a peer.

If they are asking questions regarding the meaning or application of the content, there is the real possibility that they lack the knowledge or skill to complete the activity. Likewise, if several learners are asking questions about what is expected of them, the instructions were probably not adequately explained or posted. All these responses are feedback on your facilitation.

Performance on Tests

The learners’ performance on knowledge tests is a clear indication of the extent that the learners are grasping the material. By doing a quick item analysis, you can isolate the content area where learners have the most difficulty. Could it be a test question format? Yes, it could. Could it be that the course content was not included in the leaders guide? Yes, it could. Could it be that the facilitator did not adequately cover, explain, or teach the content? Yes, it could. In any case, the learners have not acquired the content. Your job is to determine the source of the problem and correct it.

Performance on Assessments

Observation with supporting checklists can also be used to evaluate learners’ performance on case studies, role plays, and other assessments that serve as objective instruments that you or a peer evaluator are using to evaluate learners’ performance. Again, where are the areas of difficulty and what is the causal factor? Then, address the cause.

Noted

Item analysis is a method by which you examine each item on the test/instrument and count the number of correct and incorrect answers to that item. For example, for a multiple choice test where there are 20 learners and the answer to question 5 is A, you count the number who responded A and the number responding B, C, or D. Several learners missing the same question or providing the same wrong answer indicates the content area for you to examine regarding the need for more emphasis or concentration.