The need to evaluate learning (outcomes, effectiveness, ROI) is not disputed and highly desirable.  The reality is that evaluation costs money, takes time and requires specific skills.  On the other side many business managers, consider evaluation as “history” and the money has been spent.In some organisation. Are there lessons from marketing, where evaluation is key to justify spend.

We have a new addition to the Learning Cafe- a panel discussion webinar ! I am quite excited about this addition as it allows an opportunity for learning professionals to hear and discuss learning issues, challenges and trends. Of course it follows the basic tenet of Learning Cafe – No sales or vendor messaging !

• Topic – Making Learning Evaluation Work
• When – Thu, Sep 29, 2011 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM AEST (Sydney , Australia)
• Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/563698025
• Costs- None

How are these webinars different?

• As mentioned no sales or vendor messaging. Pure discussion focussed on developing learning capability. Read  Ryan’s blog on “15 inside tips for sales rep”.
• Hear experienced learning practitioners share their thoughts.
• Focus on the practical aspects on the topic.

Topic – Making Learning Evaluation Work

Thu, Sep 29, 2011 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM AEST (Sydney , Australia)

The need to evaluate learning (outcomes, effectiveness, ROI) is not disputed and highly desirable. While some organisations specially in the education and professional development sector continue to do excellent work in learning evaluation , evaluation of learning in the other sector does happen to the extent and robustness as it should. The reality is that evaluation costs money, takes time and requires specific skills.  On the other side many business managers, consider evaluation as “history” and the money has been spent.In some organisation.

This session focusses on the practicalities and the challenges of making evaluation “work” (not so much theory).

Panellists include

• Bob Spence – Contributor, Learning Cafe Blog Magazine, Bob is one of the most experienced practitioners of learning an performance in Australia.
• Melissa Yee is an accredited Organisational Psychologist with 8 years of experience in measurement and evaluation specifically. She spent 3 years measuring the effectiveness of marketing campaigns for a range of industries including alcohol, FMCG and entertainment and for the past year she has focused on measuring the impact and value of learning in the banking sector. She is currently National Survey Lead for a healthcare not-for-profit .
• Moderator – Jeevan Joshi – Director, KnowledgeWorking. He specialises in the intersection of Technology and Learning and building L&D capability.

Questions to be covered:

• To what extent is learning evaluation used in organisations ?
• Is evaluation perceived to be theoretical ? Do we need to express evaluation results in business language ?
• How can we get managers interested ? Will they care anyway ?
• Can we learn from other fields ? Marketing for instance where evaluation is key to justify market spend.

Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/563698025