Conducting a Small Group Evaluation

One of the hallmarks of the instructional systems design process is the use of formative evaluations to judge the effectiveness of the instruction as its being developed so that it can be improved as it is created.

A major part of that process is a small group evaluation. A small group evaluation within the instructional design process checks the efficacy of previous revisions and helps to ensure that the instruction or learning event is effective in helping learners reach their learning goals.

A “Small Group Evaluation” is really mis-named because not all members of the group need to go through the instruction at the same time in the same room (unless of course group interaction is required.)

At this stage in the creation of the learning event, the designer of the learning steps back and observes and attempts to have enough learners go through the instruction to provide confidence in the design and outcomes of the learning event.

The following types of questions are examined in the small group evaluation:

• Do the learners have the anticipated entry-level skills?
  
• If so, did they succeed in the instruction? Did they learn? What did they learn? How quickly? Or did they not succeed, if not, what revisions are needed?
  
• If they did not succeed, what skills, knowledge or information was missing?
  
• Did the learners have additional skills that were not predicted?
  
• How did the learners feel about the instruction? Was it motivational, boring or challenging? Was the level of effort right?
  
• Can the learners translate the results of the instruction to their job?
• What revisions are necessary for transfer to the job? What complications did the learners’ encounter?
  
• How did the learners progress through the instruction?

• Using these questions and conducting a small group evaluation will help you to strengthen your instruction and make the learning event transferable and relevant.

  Source: This material adapted from Instructional Design (Wiley/Jossey-Bass Education)

  Posted in: Content Guide

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