I have the task of evaluating training materials used within our training courses. I need advice and if anyone can point me to any methodologies that I can uses as a framework for assessing training material I will be very grateful.
Pete Wallace
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3 Responses
Three possible areas to look at for evaluation
I’m not sure what you mean by “trainng material”. Is this the actual course content or the support material(Handouts/visual aids).
You can question the trainees to get their reaction/opinion.
Check the course objectives – are they achieved by the course?
And finally check the transfer of learning to work. What are the trainees doing differently as a result of the training.
Hope this is useful. I’m happy to help some more if you need it. 07980 457759
Training Materials Evaluation
Pete,
A method I have used in the past, of course it depends on whether you still are still using/training on the material, ´Test Evaluations & Feedback´:-
At the beginning of a training programme using any materials, aids etc, first a testing of the individuals knowledge on the topic/area to be taught, then following the programme a final evaluation use to gauge their level of knowledge and learning as a result of the training. After each course/part of the programme include a course evaluation/feedback report to gauge
a) materials
b) material content
c) training delivery/presentation
d) personal evaluation, did it meet the students objectives
e) overall rating etc etc
The students can enter their name or leave it blank for privacy.
This data (evaluations and feedback) can be used manually or easier if the data could be collected and entered in a reporting system for analysis. I have used a number of excel spreadsheets to report this data although there are reporting packages on the market.
In the reporting I included a summary of the analysis for the management teams of the students sent so they could see the overall value of the training in terms of results. Each student was also given their personal report evaluation again so they could see their progress and areas for further study.
This process worked well for old materials and for new materials I wanted to pilot.
If the materials are not in use, it may wise to run another course/workshop and apply the evaluation/feedback method and take it from there.
I hope this helps, I can also be contacted, although I am in Spain for a couple more weeks, and it may be a little pricier for the call, 00 34 952820754.
Good luck
Jade
Jade Indie Eldridge
Trainer&Consultant
Evaluating individual materials/assessing generally?
Pete you asked for help – I can give you separate criteria for evalauting the various media such as CBT or CD-ROM materials, video, books, audio tapes etc. or mixed learning packages but I am not sure whether you want a general view on this or specific materials assessment, in which case you will want to go to Open Mind – Alun Harvey was mentioned last week for previewing actual materials. Come back if you want more info.