I just finished the section on program evaluation. I must agree that evaluation is a process that must be considered and planned at the begining of the program. Although I agree with this statement I am also guilty of making program evaluation an after thought (me being honest).
We invested a lot of resources in the workshop I was a part of developing but then just before the launch we thought "how are we going to evaluate this?" I had no idea (to be honest) and under a time crunch I scrambled and got a form from our HR department used for staff training. We have been using this form for a year now and the information is not useful at all.
I am now commited to developing a more appropriate form that will provide me with useful information to adjust the workshop to better meet learner needs.
We do have to report feedback to our executive but I think the only number that they are concerned with are the number of enrolled participants.
I think a starting point will be to meet with the executive responsible for my department and ask her what type of information that they would find useful.
It is amazing how fast time flies!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Response
Tammy, in response to your comment. (I am not sure why I cant respond to your comment so I am responding with a new post).
I was hired for my role based on my technical knowledge not based on my knowledge of adult learning or developing effective workshops.
The first workshop I developed was launched three years ago. As I have learned the workshop has evolved. It is interesting to look back on how far it has come over three years. It is a work in progress.
A workshop that I took through the CACE program at U of M was Delivering Dynamic Workshops. It is an optional 2 day workshop. At the time I registered for this workshop I was struggling. I knew that I wanted to have an interactive workshop but I was not sure how to make it interactive and meaningful for the participants. This workshop helped me out tremendously it came at the perfect time. I was able to implement some of the learning activities.
To answer your question yes there were a lot anxiety producing moments!
I was hired for my role based on my technical knowledge not based on my knowledge of adult learning or developing effective workshops.
The first workshop I developed was launched three years ago. As I have learned the workshop has evolved. It is interesting to look back on how far it has come over three years. It is a work in progress.
A workshop that I took through the CACE program at U of M was Delivering Dynamic Workshops. It is an optional 2 day workshop. At the time I registered for this workshop I was struggling. I knew that I wanted to have an interactive workshop but I was not sure how to make it interactive and meaningful for the participants. This workshop helped me out tremendously it came at the perfect time. I was able to implement some of the learning activities.
To answer your question yes there were a lot anxiety producing moments!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Great instructional plans = great workshops
When I was hired to develop educational workshops for the organization I work for I had no formal training in adult education and training. My organization is famous for putting together full day power point slide shows and they force adults to sit and listen. Not surprisingly this method was not effective in changing behavior.
Developing instructional plans I believe is what sets apart a boring workshop with participants not engaged from an engaging workshop that leaves participants inspired to implement the material in their lives and workplaces. I also believe this what sets apart a workshop that was developed by a skilled facilitator versus someone who is simply a subject matter expert.
Ensuring the delivery of a workshop meets the needs of learners you as a facilitator have to understand those needs and have access to resources on how to meet those needs. Developing an appropriate instructional plan takes time and skill.
Well developed instructional plans leads to engaged participants who leave the room feeling energetic and inspired to action.
Developing instructional plans I believe is what sets apart a boring workshop with participants not engaged from an engaging workshop that leaves participants inspired to implement the material in their lives and workplaces. I also believe this what sets apart a workshop that was developed by a skilled facilitator versus someone who is simply a subject matter expert.
Ensuring the delivery of a workshop meets the needs of learners you as a facilitator have to understand those needs and have access to resources on how to meet those needs. Developing an appropriate instructional plan takes time and skill.
Well developed instructional plans leads to engaged participants who leave the room feeling energetic and inspired to action.
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