Improving a training session requires feedback from participants. Designing an evaluation form that captures the necessary information is important.

Conducting an evaluation at the end of a training session will enable the trainer to make improvements on content, delivery methods, format, training environment, and other factors prior to the next delivery date. The questions must be carefully worded and designed so that the information the trainer requires will be obtained. Information can be gained through qualitative or quantitative methods. Most evaluation forms are designed to include both quantitative and qualitative measurements.

Areas to Evaluate:

1. Practicality of Content
2. Instructor’s Presentation Style
3. Level of Participant Interaction and Activity
4. Training Materials and Resources
5. Training Environment
6. Meeting the Expectations of Participants Overall

Practicality of Content

Training enables learning of key concepts to effect behavioural changes on the job i.e. improve the level of competency. While a final quiz will help you determine if the key concepts were retained, the evaluation form will help you understand if the participants believe these key concepts are relevant to their work. The practicality of the content has been shown to be highly important to adult learning i.e. that the content must be relevant if you hope to engage the audience and for learning to happen.

Ways to evaluate:

Rate statements using a scale (quantitative):

• The material was highly relevant to my daily work
• I am motivated to apply the techniques learned on the job
• The material presented will improve my productivity (efficiency, customer service skills, etc.)

Open-ended question (qualitative):

• What did you learn today that you plan to apply to your work?

Instructors Presentation Style

This includes the instructor’s:

• level of knowledge on subject
• ability to present at a good pace
• approachability
• ability to answer questions
• ability to convey concepts simply
• ability to stay on topic
• ability to present to different learning styles
• ability to present the information in a logical flow

Ways to evaluate:

Rate statements using a scale (quantitative):

• The material was presented at a good pace
• The instructor remained focused on the topic

Open-ended question (qualitative):

• Describe the instructor’s presentation style commenting on their ability to engage you by pacing, answering questions, staying on topic etc.

Level of Participant Interaction and Activity

It has been shown that adults retain information more if they are given the opportunity to interact with other participants and break up a lecture style format. There are many ways to add interactivity to a session – group activities, games, discussions and brainstorming, simulations and case studies.

Ways to evaluate:

Rate statements using a scale (quantitative) such as:

• The level of interaction with other participants was adequate

Open-ended question (qualitative):

• What activity did you enjoy the most and why?

Training Materials and Resources

The materials used to present the information (power point slides, reference handouts, worksheets) must provide value to participants.

Ways to evaluate:

Rate statements using a scale (quantitative) such as:

• The presentation slides were clearly visable
• The worksheets were well designed

Open-ended question (qualitative):

• Do you have suggestions on how the handouts or presentation slides could be improved?

Training Room Environment

Temperature, lighting, space, visibility of speaker and other elements of the training environment can be evaluated. For adults to retain information, they require an environment that is conducive to learning.

Ways to evaluate:

Rate statements using a scale (quantitative) such as:

• The lighting in the room was adequate
• The temperature of the room was adequate
• The room layout allowed enough space for activities and individual work
• The instructor and other presenters were clearly visible

Meeting the Expectations of Participants Overall

Either at the beginning or the end of the evaluation, ask a question about their overall impressions of the training.

Ways to evaluate:

Rate statements using a scale (quantitative) such as:

• Overall, my expectations for this training were met.