Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

Manual 1:AN EDUCATOR’S GUIDEWhat docourseparticipantsgain fromevaluation?What doesthe educatorgain fromevaluation?A means of assessing their personal progress, learning and skillsdevelopmentThe chance to identify future learning needs and interestsThe opportunity to discuss and reflect upon the training process inwhich they are involvedThe chance to consider whether and how the group as a whole hasachieved its aimsThe chance to contribute to and influence future trade union coursesConsidered comments from participants on all aspects of the courseAn indication of parts of the course that run wellClarification about parts of the course that need to be removed oramendedIdeas for the future development of training materialsA means of identifying further training needsEncouragement from collective discussion and decision-makingEvaluationquestionnairesPersonalaction plansQuestionnaires concerning the course can be distributed to participants atthe end of the course. More detailed questions can be asked to supplementthe discussion-based activity referred to above. However, this supplementshould not take the place of collective discussion. A sample courseevaluation form is provided on page 32. It is preferable if participants havethe option to fill in forms anonymously.A written follow-up evaluation can be sent to participants some weeks afterfinishing their course. This serves the additional purpose of: giving time for reflection upon the experience identifying what has been gainedassessing the impact of the training activity upon the subsequentactivities of the participant (see the section on ‘impact’ below)As we have already described, action planning and implementation shouldform an integral part of any trade union course. Personal action plans arealso a useful form of evaluating action which results from the course. Theyenable participants to set themselves targets to be achieved over a givenperiod of time. This is important as it creates a direct link between thecourse and the work/union situation to which participants are returning.Putting targets down on paper allows each individual to evaluate his or herprogress in achieving them.30 Health, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers