Why use opinionaires?
Model Learning
Yes, you’re right, it’s not a real word. And it’s ugly. But ‘opinionaire’ is a very accurate description for what still passes as course evaluation.
Who says? Bruce Joyce and Beverly Showers say so. They’ve been researching the effectiveness of teacher in–service training for decades and are pretty much the top dogs in this area. This is what they said about typical course evaluations — back in 1988.
“The effectiveness of most staff development offerings is estimated by means of opinion polls distributed either during or at the close of a training session. Participants are asked a variety of questions to which they respond on a five–point scale.”
As you’ll know, these questions range from the effectiveness of the speaker (ie did you like him or her) through to the quality of the food (still on the like/dislike theme). There may even be a question about whether the training met your personal objectives.
It results in what Joyce and Showers call an “opinonaire”. And the consequence of asking what people like results in the perpetuation of familiar offerings (keeping safe) or feeling there’s nothing else to learn (self-satisfied).
Whereas what’s needed, of course, is an extension of the training into the classroom, with leadership support, peer coaching and, above all, measures to see if student learning or behaviour has improved.
So when you’re faced with one of these ‘opinionaires’, pretending to be an evaluation, what will your response be?
Reader Comments (2)
This also happens during poor examples of coaching methodology currently undertaken in schools (that appear to never have heard of Joyce and Showers!).
The situation is this
1) Coaching is set up, using ideas of what to watch
2) Person watches teacher
3) Person then gives feedback to teacher on what they can improve (hoping their self esteem is very resilient)
Although this model can be effective, the quicker route is
1) identify "expert" in teaching technique
2) go watch them
3) make notes!!!!
No need to discuss afterward, apart from thanks!!
Yes, very true. In the first instance, there's little difference between 'coaching' and 'evaluation'. So the fear of failure remains and the freedom to experiment is lost. And so, unfortunately, does a great deal of learning.