Are you ready to take your L&D evaluation to the next level? Are you tired of using traditional methods that only scratch the surface of the real impact of your training programs? Look no further, because eLearning Unscripted has just released an episode that will change the way you approach L&D evaluation.
In this episode, we are joined by two experts in the field of L&D evaluation – Dr. Keith Keating and Dr. Jerry Zandstra. They share their insights and expertise on how to take a more holistic approach to evaluate the impact of L&D programs. So, grab your notepads and tune in to this enlightening conversation.
Dr. Keith Keating, a seasoned learning strategist and consultant, starts off by emphasizing the importance of understanding the purpose of L&D evaluation. He explains that the ultimate goal of L&D evaluation should be to measure the impact of training on the organization’s performance. However, most organizations tend to focus on the wrong metrics, such as training completion rates or participant satisfaction, which do not accurately reflect the true impact of L&D programs.
Dr. Jerry Zandstra, an experienced organizational psychologist and consultant, further elaborates on this point by stating that organizations need to move away from the traditional approach of evaluating L&D programs based on participants’ reactions and instead focus on evaluating the results of the training. He suggests that organizations should use a combination of quantitative and qualitative data to measure the impact of training on business outcomes.
The conversation then shifts to the challenges faced by organizations in evaluating the impact of L&D programs. Dr. Keating points out that one of the biggest challenges is the lack of alignment between L&D and business goals. He stresses the need for L&D professionals to have a deep understanding of the organization’s goals and objectives to design and evaluate training programs that align with them.
Dr. Zandstra adds that another challenge is the limited resources and time available for evaluation. Many organizations struggle to allocate resources and time for evaluating L&D programs, which leads to a superficial evaluation that does not provide valuable insights. He suggests that organizations should prioritize evaluation and allocate the necessary resources to it.
The conversation then moves on to the topic of data collection and analysis. Dr. Keating advises organizations to collect data from multiple sources, such as pre- and post-training assessments, on-the-job observations, and feedback from managers and peers. He also emphasizes the importance of analyzing the data to identify patterns and trends that can provide valuable insights into the impact of training.
Dr. Zandstra adds that organizations should also consider using a control group to compare the performance of employees who received training with those who did not. This can help in isolating the impact of training and provide a more accurate evaluation of its effectiveness.
As the conversation comes to an end, both experts stress the need for L&D professionals to continuously evaluate their programs and make necessary adjustments to ensure they are aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives. They also encourage organizations to take a more proactive approach to evaluation and not wait until the end of a training program to measure its impact.
In conclusion, this episode of eLearning Unscripted highlights the importance of taking a holistic approach to evaluate the impact of L&D programs. It emphasizes the need to move away from traditional methods and focus on measuring the results of training on business outcomes. With the insights and advice shared by Dr. Keith Keating and Dr. Jerry Zandstra, L&D professionals can now take a more proactive and comprehensive approach to evaluate the real impact of their training programs.
So, are you ready to take your L&D evaluation to the next level? Tune in to eLearning Unscripted and learn from the experts on how to prove the real impact of L&D and drive business results. And don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section below.
This post was first published on eLearning Industry. Stay tuned for more informative and insightful episodes of eLearning Unscripted.
