How good is a course?

[anon_e-mouse]

This thread is an overflow from the testimonials thread http://studio3.org/members/showthread.php?t=40
where the question was raised "if you don't use forms how do you collect information about the course?"

When you use them what do you use them for?
Have you ever filled one out successfully? Judging by the comments of other members there are a lot of trainers present here so maybe very few people have actually filled out an evaluation form??????

The effectiveness of the 3 day course is well covered with Andy's papers using pre and post confidence questions as mentioned in other threads.

but what is the purpose of the post course questionnaires and how good are they at fulfilling that purpose?

[delh]

I have always found evaluation sheets to be absolutely crucial in asessing my own competence and good practice as a trainer.
I encourage people to use the forms to give as much honest feedback as they can. I allow / encourage them to fill in AND hand in the forms anonymously. Many people seem to find this easier than the verbal feedback that we also use at the end of a course.
I must say that I have amended the way I teach a course on several occasions in light of feedback received. I may not always even agree with the point of view expressed in the feedback, but as someone keen to improve my own practice, I must take it on board.
After all, any trainer (in any field) must remember that the course is there for the attendees!
For this reason, I ALWAYS fill out evaluation sheets in full when I attend any other training!
cheers
Del

[andy]

From a research point of view post training evaluation forms are often referred to as 'HAPPY SHEETS'. That is,people are more likely to give positive evaluations after training courses. This does not mean that they are not useful. If people reports dissatisfaction with training at the end of a training course then it could be argued that they have to be seriously concerned to report this. These evaluations are also useful; for presenters to judge their delivery of materials.

The research argument is that course evaluations need to be followed up after training has been implemented in an anonymous manner. In addition behavioural data about the problems of implementing training can be invaluable? Think of two different questions: 1) Did the participants have a good time? 2) What have they applied?

[stevea]

happy sheets are essential to aid the ongoing
continuing professional development for the facilitators.