Getting It Done

Developing ways to collect and identify feedback is a skill unto itself. Use exercise 9–1 to identify some items on an evaluation instrument that you might use to collect feedback on your facilitation skills.

Exercise 9.1: Selecting elements for a level 1 evaluation instrument.

Below is a sample level 1 evaluation instrument. Highlight the sections you think are important and would like to use for your level 1 evaluation.

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Title: ____________________ Facilitator: _____________________

Job Classification (check one):

_____Administrative/Hourly _____Professional _____Supervisor _____Manager

_____Other (write in): ____________________

The statements below concern specific aspects of this course. Please indicate to what extent you agree with each statement by circling the appropriate number. Please use the following scale:

Strongly Disagree=1 Disagree=2 Agree=3 Strongly Agree=4

1. Course Content
Objectives were clearly explained.	1	2	3	4
Objectives stated were met; the participant will be able to:
• Objective 1:	1	2	3	4
• Objective 2:	1	2	3	4
• Objectives:	1	2	3	4
• Objective 4:	1	2	3	4
Material was well organized.	1	2	3	4
Content is relevant to my job.	1	2	3	4
II. Course Methodology The following activities/materials helped me to understand the content and to achieve the objectives:
Participant’s workbook	1	2	3	4
Class discussions	1	2	3	4
Individual exercises and/or activities	1	2	3	4
Small group/team discussions and activities	1	2	3	4
Media (flipcharts, PowerPoint slides, videos, tapes, etc.)	1	2	3	4
III. Instructor/Facilitator
Promoted an environment of learning	1	2	3	4
Presented clearly to assist my understanding	1	2	3	4
Demonstrated knowledge of the subject matter	1	2	3	4
Provided feedback effectively to participants	1	2	3	4
Responded well to questions	1	2	3	4
Presented content in an appropriate sequence	1	2	3	4
Promoted participant discussion and involvement	1	2	3	4
Kept the discussion on topic and activities on track	1	2	3	4
IV. Environment/Course Administration
The class was free of external distractions.	1	2	3	4
The room was neat and clean.	1	2	3	4
The promotional material accurately represents course content.	1	2	3	4
The registration process is effective.	1	2	3	4
V. General

Course pace was

_____ Too slow _____ About right _____ Too fast

Please indicate the rating that best reflects your overall evaluation of this session.

_____ Poor _____ Fair _____ Good _____ Excellent

Would your recommend this course to your peers ? _____ Yes _____ No

Why, or why not? _____________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Your suggestions for improvement:_________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Other comments:___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Thank you for taking the time to share your comments and reactions to your learning experience.

Reprinted with permission from Performance Advantage Group, 1999.

Now, turn to exercise 9–2 to create your own evaluation instrument and enhance your ability to design ways to collect and use feedback on your facilitation skills.

Exercise 9.2: Developing an evaluation instrument.

In the space below, try your hand at developing a written instrument to solicit feedback from learners. Assume that you are about halfway through a three-day program. Be sure to cover such topics as pace, sequence of the content, skill/knowledge acquisition and application, value of activities, various aspects of your skills as a facilitator, and so forth.

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Facilitators of learning experiences do not exist in an organizational vacuum. What you do and how you do it contribute to performance, which ultimately contributes to your organizations bottom line. In the final chapter, you’ll explore some points about the facilitator’s critical role in the organization. This chapter also offers additional advice on facilitator effectiveness.