Brisbane workshop evaluation – a good foundation

A key element of any learning or extension activity is evaluation. The On the Fast Track workshop series is no different and has engaged Stephen Kelly to put the process under the microscope. Participants have been asked to evaluate each workshop session using a “cheque book”. Stephen uses this information along with periodic evaluations during the workshop to test participant feedback.

The results for the Brisbane workshop have been collated and the general feedback has been positive. According to Stephen, the workshop was rated at 7.65 out of 10, which is a reasonable result for a first workshop. By incorporating changes to how some segments are presented and to time allocations, the team hopes to increase this rating to at least 8 out of 10 at the Sydney and Melbourne workshops.

One of the things identified for improvement was that the workshop was rushed, in part because of the amount of information presented. The team has worked on this aspect of the program and has modified it based on this feedback.

Importantly, the evaluation found that that the whole experience (workshop presentations, and activities, interaction with others, mentoring process and action plan) was valued by the workshop participants.

An introductory activity that proved very popular was for groups of participants to plot on a map where they were from and where they had studied and worked during their careers. This simple activity illustrated graphically the diversity of experience and backgrounds in the workshop group. As one person commented in their feedback, “I will be stealing the map of Australia as an icebreaker idea.”

Project leader, Dr Ruth Nettle, introduces the workshop to participants.

The workshop is designed to incorporate a number of small group sessions as a way of reflecting on presentations and learning more about the capacity building experiences and issues of participants.

An important aspect of learning is by doing. Groups of workshop participants got a chance to test their building as well as leadership skills in this exercise.

The On the Fast Track team