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Section VII

SECTION VII: COURSE EVALUATION

Introduction This section describes the purpose of a course evaluation and discusses instructor evaluations, evaluator guidelines, and course evaluation reports. The purpose of a course evaluation is to: 1. Ensure the course is being taught to standards as required by the approved POI. 2. Ensure the approved TSPs are being used. 3. Identify areas where the course could be improved. 4. Identify deficiencies that should be corrected. Instructor Evaluations To ensure instructors are properly qualified, they will be evaluated regularly by the course manager or designated representative. Every instructor should be evaluated once for each course. Evaluation is also required when inadequate instruction is observed or determined from internal feedback. In practice, instructors should be observed and evaluated as frequently as possible, particularly those who are new to a subject, inexperienced as instructors, or have demonstrated a need for improvement. Procedures and forms for this ongoing evaluation of instructors should be governed by local policy (a suggested form is in Appendix F); however, the instructor should also be evaluated on the following: 1. Being prepared to administer the training and testing. The trainer is responsible for being technically proficient in the subject matter being taught. Equally important, the trainer is expected to be proficient in facilitating the learning activities of the students by administering, in accordance with the TSP, all training and testing in a professional manner. 2. Being responsive to the needs and problems of the students while they are under the instructors control. The instructor is expected to provide solutions to problems or direct the student to the proper source for help. 3. Maintaining the training facility in a manner that aids effective learning. The instructor is responsible for ensuring that necessary course materials are on hand; that the training facilities are neat, clean, and safe; and that discipline is maintained at all times in the classroom and during all practical exercises. 4. Maintaining student records as outlined in this CMP and any others required by local policy. 5. Taking immediate action to correct or report all unsafe conditions within the training facilities.

Purpose

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Section VII

6. Evaluating each student's performance on all practical exercises. 7. Selecting and prescribing appropriate retraining/retesting when a student does not pass practical exercises. 8. Conducting training according to the approved TSP. 9. Counseling students on strengths, weaknesses, and self development using the nine leadership competencies as a base. Evaluator Guidelines 1. Evaluators should remember that the purpose of evaluation is to identify course strengths and weaknesses. 2. Evaluators should be sensitive to the fact that even though the focus of evaluation is on the course itself, the instructors who are being observed will bear the brunt of any comments. Thus, evaluators should consider the following points: a. The evaluator should make every effort to review the course materials for the specific session he/she is to observe. b. Instructors must be made aware that the purpose of the evaluation is to improve instruction. c. The evaluator should arrive before the learning session starts, locate a suitable place from which to observe, and evaluate only that segment of the learning session actually observed.

d. The evaluator should avoid conspicuous note taking. e. The evaluator must schedule a follow-up conference (critique) with the instructor. f. The evaluator must provide the instructor with a complete copy of the evaluation record.

g. The evaluator must observe the instructor in learning situations involving as many different media and methods as possible. 3. Timing the Evaluation: Evaluation of instruction can be conducted on a scheduled or unscheduled basis. Each of these two procedures has its advantages and disadvantages. A scheduled evaluation allows the instructor to prepare the evaluation. A scheduled evaluation also allows the instructor time to prepare a "show" that is not typical of usual performance. An unscheduled visit permits the evaluator to observe the instructor in a normal mode of teaching and can achieve a realistic appraisal of the instruction. However, an inexperienced instructor or an instructor lacking in self-confidence may feel threatened at being evaluated and fail to perform as well as usual. There is also the possibility that an instructor will switch from usual performance and give the accepted course approach for the benefit of the evaluation. Both scheduled and unscheduled evaluations should be carefully used to achieve the advantages of each.

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4. Training Evaluation Reports a. Preparing The Instructor Evaluation Report (1) When preparing the evaluation form, the evaluator must place a check in the column best describing the instructor's performance (poor, fair, good, or excellent) for each element observed. To evaluate the instructor on each element, the evaluator should observe the instructor for at least two academic hours. The evaluator must also make written comments and recommendations on this form. After reviewing the written evaluation and oral critique of the instructor, the instructor uses the bottom of the reverse side of the form to outline a plan to improve his/her performance. This section will give the instructor's overall opinion of the evaluation and critique and will be a benchmark for the instructor to gauge future professional growth. (2) The evaluation critique of an instructor is to be completed immediately following the evaluation. The evaluation and critique should be planned and carried out to minimize disruption of the instructional period. b. Distribution of the Instructor Evaluation Report (1) One copy of the report must go to the instructor as a basis for selfimprovement. (2) One copy must be maintained by the course manager in the instructor folder. Course Evaluation The Training Observation Report and Course Evaluation Summary Report are shown in Appendix F. These documents are prepared by the course manager. They are used to ensure training is being conducted in accordance with established guidelines and to assess the overall quality of the course. Training Observation Reports are prepared a minimum of once per class or at the discretion of the course manager. Course Evaluation Summary Reports are prepared for each class. Within fourteen days after completion of a class, a copy of the Course Evaluation Summary Report (handwritten or typed) must be sent to: Commander U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center, Directorate of Training Development Warrior Department, ATTN: ATZT-DT-WR-E Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473-6650

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