Level 2 Evaluation: Learning
A Level Two evaluation assesses the knowledge and skills acquired by participants immediately following the training.
Most of your safety training will need a Level Two evaluation. This evaluation often measures the increase in knowledge by comparing before and after the training.
What the learner knows or can do can be measured before, during, and at the end of the training, but only within the learning environment. This 'learning environment' should not expose the student to real workplace hazards. Below are the questions the program needs to ask:
- Did the student learn what was intended to be taught?
- Did the student experience what was intended for them to experience?
- What is the extent of improvement in the trainee's knowledge or skill after the training?
Evaluating at this level is appropriate for certifying employees as "initially qualified." But, to certify someone as "fully qualified," a Level Three evaluation is needed.
Methods to assess knowledge and skills at this level include:
- written or verbal pre/post training exams used to measure knowledge; and
- interviews or observation of performance may also be used to measure skills.
On-the-job training (OJT) is a highly effective way to test both knowledge and skills. Regardless of the training strategy, make sure the evaluation methods are reliable and valid. Evaluation is reliable if it consistently gives the same results. It's valid if the results accurately show the knowledge and skills outlined in the learning objectives.
The 'Test Out' option means that evaluation happens while the learner is still in the training environment. In some cases, it might be suitable to let learners 'test out' by showing they can meet the course objectives without having to complete the entire training. If you offer this option, it's important to make sure learners clearly understand the criteria for testing out. Also, be careful to ensure that the training follows government regulations.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
7-3. What is a good question to ask during Level 2 (Learning) evaluation?
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