Teaching Course Assessment [QSI Ref: XR-204]
Descriptor
Effectiveness of a radiology teaching course.
Background
All courses need evaluation to determine whether:
• The training is cost-effective
• The needs and expectations of the attendees are being met
The Cycle
The standard:
In the questionnaire (see resources) the course should be rated between good and very good (4, 5 or 6) by at least 90% of the participants. Given the increasing use of virtual platforms additional areas need to be evaluated e.g. ease of registration, connectivity, audio and video quality, interactive platform, etc.
Target:
90%.
Assess local practice
Indicators:
For each aspect of the course identified in the standard - the percentage of participants who graded that particular aspect between 4 and 6 (i.e. from good to very good).
Data items to be collected:
Responses to the questionnaire.
Suggested number:
All participants attending the course.
Suggestions for change if target not met
The course organiser should act on the audit findings by addressing those aspects where less than 90% of participants rated the course good or better. Required improvements may include:
• Improvements to the pre-course information
• Alterations to the content
• Change in the amount of small group work
• Elimination or reduction in length of particular lectures
• Replacement of teachers
• Improvements in lecture notes
• Change of venue
• Change of caterer
Bear in mind that some of the above may necessitate an increase in the course fee.
If virtual using a different online platform e.g. one more suitable for PACS scrolling etc depending on the nature of the course.
References
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Anderson AH. Successful Training Practice. London: Blackwell, 1993:chapter 8.
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Harrison R. Training and Development. London: Institute of Personnel Management, 1989:chapter 15
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End-of-Course Evaluations: Making Sense of Student Comments By: Maryellen Weimer, PhD in Teaching Professor Blog - See more at: http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/end-of-course-evaluations-making-sense-of-student-comments/#sthash.rytgmahd.dpuf
Editor’s comments
With increasing use of video-conference links to meetings, if this is offered it too should be assessed. In particular the sound and visual quality, but also the involvement of participants at remote sites in questions / discussions, the stability of the connection, the availability of paperwork - handouts / certificates etc. at remote sites.
Submitted by
Taken from Clinical Audit in Radiology 100+ recipes RCR 1996, updated by H Bailey 2017 and N Parvizi 2021