Workplace learning is usually designed to improve workplace performance and service. It may include the development of values and attitudes, skills or knowledge. Too often, attending a course is seen as an end in itself, with little evaluation taking place other than a happy sheet. Happy sheets are designed to capture the learner’s immediate response to the learning experience, along with questions about lunch and the provision of pencils!

Learning is expensive and anyone responsible for organising and authorising learning should be able to demonstrate that the benefit of learning was worth the cost of delivering it. Such a measurement is not simple and involves different stages. A popular learning evaluation tool is the Kirkpatrick Learning Evaluation Model. The Model separates learning into four stages with a fifth looking at Return on Investment (ROI).

Evaluation is not the sole province of learning support personnel. Managers, colleagues and learning supporters must all be involved.

You will need to consider whether evaluating e-Learning is in any way different to evaluating other forms of learning. William Horton Consulting offers some ideas on his website. You can download an evaluation checklist. It may be a useful tool to use as the basis for discussion with colleagues about the considerations you should make when selecting e-Learning as the primary learning method.

Look at the section in the Toolkit on Kirkpatrick.

Related Resources

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  Kirkpatrick Model of evaluation on businessballs
  

  A useful overview of Kirkpatrick's learning and training evaluation theory on the businessballs web site. There are explanations of the four levels of learning evaluation.

  http://www.businessballs.com/kirkpatricklearningevaluationmodel.htm
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  Popular Learning Models
  

  Some of the more popular learning theories and models used by education practitioners and those with an interest in developing people. The models and theories inform and underpin many modern learning approaches and come out of learner centred and constructivist theories.

  view_page.php?id=73
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  Evaluating e-Learning - William Horton
  

  Extracts from 'Evaluating e-Learning', by William Horton including access to resources.

  http://www.horton.com/html/evaluatingbook.aspx