6 Tips to Ease the Evaluation Process

We’re going out on a limb here…and guessing that filling out the evaluation is not your favourite part of providing fieldwork.  To help you with this task we offer some tips:

1.    Review the evaluation a week to a few days before you need to fill it out. 

This should refresh your memory about the areas you said you’d be evaluating.  With the areas fresh in your mind, you can watch for specific examples or direct the student to specific tasks.

2.    While reviewing the evaluation, write in client initials or other cues if assessments, interventions, programming etc. come to mind that you know the student will be completing over the next few days.  These cues can help to speed up your process when filling in the form later.

3.   Whenever something comes to mind that you would like to capture, write it on a sticky note and just stick to the top of the evaluation…you can add the thought to the actual evaluation when you’re ready.

4.   Remember: direct observation is not the only place to look for material for feedback/evaluation.  You can gather information on a student’s communication, reasoning, organization etc from:

o   other staff members

o   discussions with your student

o   any  written documentation/material

o   review of journal (if available)

5.   On evaluation day, consider arranging a time for the student to review your evaluation before meeting to discuss it. This can give the student opportunity to “digest” any feedback he/she may find difficult. It may even decrease the meeting time needed. We recommend discussing this as an option with the student before hand. You might even take their self evaluation and feedback form (the yellow form) for review prior to meeting too.

6.   If you have questions about filling out the evaluation/providing feedback, call us!

Want more resources?  Check out the top 2 links under “Lisa’s Links” on the right hand side of this blog.  Each of these resources has a module on filling out formal evaluations and providing feedback (and other areas you might find helpful).

Remember:  Being an educator is more than being a “form filler”…the role of evaluation is to provide feedback…the outcome will enable the student to develop a plan for professional development.