Executive Summary
The main purpose of evaluating a training program is to gain knowledge about whether it has achieved or failed its objectives. Analysing the training event by using appropriate evaluation tools can improve the outcome of future trainings to a considerable extend. Even if the evaluation process of training is essential, it must always be incorporated within the available framework of time and cost. Defining the appropriate questions is the key starting point of every evaluation.
Introduction
Evaluation is considered as being an important process of a training event in order to reflect, analyse and improve its effectiveness and efficiency. Evaluation can be defined as the following:
"Evaluation is the collection, analysis and interpretation of information about any aspect of a program of education or training as part of a recognised process of judging its effectiveness, its efficiency and any other outcomes it may have" (ELLINGTON et al. 1993).
Neglecting to make any attempt of evaluation reflects disinterest and lack of professionalism. Evaluation is a must and therefore an integral part of effective training (FAO 1998) (see also planning a training). The effort that is put into the design of any evaluation will pay rich dividends, but defining the right questions is always the key starting point. There are degrees of correctness of definition but this should always be something that is measurable and possible within the time and cost frame you actually have (adapted from CROMPTON 1999).
Evaluation Levels
The following key questions should be covered within the evaluation process (adapted from THOMAS 1999):
- Have the participants achieved the course objectives?
- Have the participants learned what they were supposed to learn?
- What unexpected positive outcomes have occurred that can be incorporated in future courses?
- What are the courses strengths and weaknesses?
- Has the job performance improved after training?
Evaluation is often considered as taking place at four different levels (the "Kirkpatrick levels") which are listed below (KIRKPATRICK 1998). The further down you go in the evaluation process, the more valid the evaluation.
- Reaction: What does the learner feel about the training? (Oral/written feed-back, open ended questions/close ended questions)
- Learning: What facts, knowledge and experiences did the learner gain? (Observation/reviewing data from simulated reports, plans, exercises etc.)
- Behaviours: What skills did the learner develop and what new information can the learner use on the job?
- Results or effectiveness: What results occurred; did the learner apply the new skills to the necessary tasks and what results were achieved?
Even though reaching level 4 is the most desired result from an evaluation process, it is usually the most difficult to accomplish. Evaluating effectiveness often involves the use of key performance measures.
Evaluation Advice
(Adapted from GREENAWAY 1999)
Be selective! Do not hand out the learner a huge list of questions. Work out what you really want to know and the best way of finding this out.
Be realistic! Form-filling is never fun. So do not expect people to conscientiously work their way through a long and complex evaluation form.
Be creative! Why not evaluating with an activity that is itself engaging and enjoyable! Create evaluative processes that will engage participants and provide you at the same time with a valid feedback.
Be balanced! You may develop a standardised evaluation process in order to monitor results over time. However, by asking the same questions, you are always looking at courses from the same perspective. Try to combine a standardised element that allows you to make comparisons over time, with a random/changing element which shows you a new perspective.
Be holistic! After a course in which people have gained a whole range of experiences, it is not realistic to expect anyone to express their true evaluation of a course on a piece of paper. Paper exercises can be very useful but it should be seen as part of a much wider evaluation process that includes dimensions of learning that are less easy to capture on paper.
Training should always incorporate an evaluation process in order to analyse and to learn which elements have successfully achieved their objectives and which have failed their purpose. The process can cover only the first level of evaluation, when time and costs are restricted for conducting a comprehensive evaluation (means including all the 4 levels). Regarding the applicability of the evaluation, you should consider which techniques and methods are the most appropriate for the intended purpose. It is important to keep in mind the advantages and challenges of the chosen tools, before applying them in the evaluation process.
Evaluation: A practical guide to methods
This guide aims to give an overview about the principles of evaluation while mentioning advantages and disadvantages of specific methods.
CROMPTON, P. (1999): Evaluation: A practical guide to methods. UK: LTDI URL [Accessed: 14.04.2010]Handbook of Educational Technology
Food quality and safety systems. A training manual on food hygiene and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system
Course Evaluation Methods
Another look at evaluating training programs
Evaluation of Training Courses
Evaluation: A practical guide to methods
This guide aims to give an overview about the principles of evaluation while mentioning advantages and disadvantages of specific methods.
CROMPTON, P. (1999): Evaluation: A practical guide to methods. UK: LTDI URL [Accessed: 14.04.2010]Evaluation cookbook
This paper is a practical guide for lecturers interested in evaluating materials for their effectiveness in achieving specific learning objectives.
HARVEY, J. (1998): Evaluation cookbook. UK: LTDI URL [Accessed: 14.04.2010]Kirkpatrick's Levels of Evaluation
This paper provides the reader a short overview of the four levels of evaluation published by Kirkpatrick in 1994.
INSTRUCTIONAL PRODUCT EVALUATION (2003): Kirkpatrick's Levels of Evaluation. United States: The University of Georgia URL [Accessed: 08.05.2012]A stakeholder approach to evaluating training
This article highlights the importance of using different approaches for different stakeholders in the evaluation process.
NICKOLS, F. (2004): A stakeholder approach to evaluating training. USA: Distance Consulting URL [Accessed: 14.04.2010]Approaches and Practices in Monitoring and Evaluation of Capacity Building within the WASH Sector
This report of a group project by the University of Cranfield assesses the effectiveness of Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in measuring progress along the results chain. The assessment is conducted by analysing different Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) approaches in the WASH sector and leads to recommendations for the Centre of Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST) to incorporate into their M&E approach.
ABUBAKARI, Z. KUNIMOTO, S. NEILL, R. SUTCLIFFE, A. ZETEK, U. (2013): Approaches and Practices in Monitoring and Evaluation of Capacity Building within the WASH Sector. Group Project Report. Cranfield: Cranfield University and Center for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST)Training Evaluation Form
This training evaluation form, developed by ISPCAN within their international training programme ITPI can easily be adapted for own trainings and allow to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of a training, allowing trainers to improve their trainings continuously.
ISPCAN (2008): Training Evaluation Form. Chicago: ISPCAN International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Negelect URL [Accessed: 24.04.2011]Evaluation Questionnaire
This comprehensive evaluation questionnaire can be used after the end of a training course in order to rate the training course. It allows trainers to collect feedback and improve their trainings.
NCDO (2008): Evaluation Questionnaire. Toolkit Sport for Development URL [Accessed: 16.11.2010]http://www.docstoc.com/
This is a very basic sample evaluation form and not specified to a particular topic.
http://www.fao.org/
This website contains a training manual on food hygiene and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system. The first section of this manual explains the basic elements for effective preparation, implementation and evaluation of training programs.
http://www.go2itech.org/
These resources are sample evaluation forms and guides to adapt for your own use. Course summary evaluations, focus group questions, and expert observation tools are included. There is a trainer’s competency checklist and trainer attributes competency self-assessment. These forms can encourage trainers to strengthen their training and communication skills and strive for improvement.
http://www.ifets.info/
The article on this website written by D. Eseryel in 2002 describes current approaches regarding the evaluation of training both in theory and in practice.