Reviewing and evaluating activity sessions

Reviewing and evaluating activity sessions

Understanding the Purpose of Reviewing Sessions

  • Understand that the purpose of a review is to identify what went well and what could be improved.
  • Recognise the importance of feedback in helping you grow and develop as a coach or leader.
  • Acknowledge that evaluations are an opportunity to reflect on the effectiveness of your session and the impact on participants.

Gathering Feedback

  • Collect feedback from participants immediately after the session while their memory is fresh.
  • Use a variety of feedback methods: questionnaires, discussions or observation notes.
  • Remember that feedback should always be given constructively, focusing on the activity and not the individual.

Analysing Feedback

  • Review feedback to understand participant satisfaction, understanding and learning from the session.
  • Identify any common themes or trends in the feedback.
  • Bear in mind that feedback is subjective and may vary between individuals, hence consider all points of view.

Self Reflection

  • Practice self-reflection to consider your personal performance and areas for improvement.
  • Consider your actions, decisions and interactions during the session.
  • Assess if your initial objectives for the session were met.

Making Improvements

  • Develop an action plan for incorporating feedback and reflection into future sessions.
  • Implement changes thoughtfully, without disrupting the overall structure or goals of the activity.
  • Monitor impact of changes through regular feedback collection to maintain improvements.

Documenting and Recording Reviews

  • Keep a record of all reviews and evaluations for future reference.
  • Create a system for tracking progress over time, including changes made and the impact.
  • Use these documents as a learning tool in preparing for future sessions.

Communicating Review Findings

  • Share your findings and changes with participants, so they understand their feedback is valued.
  • Involve participants in the improvement process where possible, to keep them engaged.
  • Remain open, responsive and accountable to any criticism or suggestions for improvement.