Evaluation vs. Testing

Instructional developers understand the notion of evaluation. Even the most basic ISD model, ADDIE, includes the evaluation phases needed in any deployment of training. As I look into the learning evaluation element of the literature review I am struck by how many people feel testing is the answer.

Student testing is a form of assessment, how much has that student learned, and to some degree can be used in determining the effectiveness of training materials. However, testing is only 1 form of student assessment and student assessment is only one aspect of evaluation.

To be effective training the training needs to meet or exceed the learning objectives developed at the beginning of the process. If you are designing behavioral or performance based objectives then looking at learner performance can help identify gaps in or highlight effectiveness in training. Still another tool to use is aligning training elements to the objectives.

• Does this training element support this learning or training objective?

Testing is such a hot item now that a lot of people want to implement it into the workplace training conducted within their organizations. Why? It is easier to develop tests and score them than actually observe performance. Even Kirkpatrick’s Level 2 – Learning stage focuses on pre and post testing.

Is testing evaluation? No. It is one element that can be used but it is not training evaluation. I will be looking deeper into this as I learn more about how to effectively evaluate training for learning.

Image source: Pragmagraphr

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