Evaluating performance and giving feedback. Suggested activity:

Objective: To experience the assessment of performance and observe the providing of performance feedback in an emotionally competent way

Time: Approximately $30$ minutes

Procedure: A class leader is to be selected. He or she may either be a volunteer or someone chosen by your facilitator. The class leader will preside over class discussion and perform the role of manager in the evaluation review.

Your facilitator will leave the room. The leader is then to spend $15$ minutes helping the class evaluate your facilitator. Your facilitator understands that this is only a class exercise and is prepared to accept criticism $($and$,$ of course, any praise you might want to convey$).$ Your facilitator also recognises that the leader$$s evaluation is actually a composite of many learners$$ input. So be honest and open in your evaluation and have confidence that your facilitator will not be vindictive.

Research has identified the following performance dimensions to an instructor$$s job:

a$)$ Instructor knowledge

b$)$ Learner$-$instructor relations

c$)$ Organisational skills

d$)$ Communication skills

The discussion of your facilitator$$s performance should focus on these four dimensions. The leader may want to take notes for personal use, but will not be required to give the facilitator any written documentation.

When the $15-$minute class discussion is complete, the leader will invite the facilitator back into the room. The performance review will begin as soon as the facilitator walks through the door, with the class leader becoming the manager and the facilitator playing him$/$herself$.$

When completed, class discussion will focus on performance evaluation criteria and how well your class leader did in providing performance feedback. $($Did s$/$he acknowledge the areas in which the facilitator did well and give constructive advice to build on the facilitator$$s weaknesses?$)$

If you did this activity, write down your notes on how well the class leader provided performance feedback, then evaluate the process. Discuss what you can take from this exercise to implement in your workplace and even at home.