Description:

Participants practice using a skill or strengthening each other’s knowledge within the training curriculum. The facilitator can determine whether participants learned the skill because they practice it right in the training, and have a chance to demonstrate their understanding through the training activity. In other words, if the facilitator knows what to listen for, they can tell if the participants can demonstrate the competency. For example, a group brainstorm can validate participant knowledge, through listening for the quality of contributions to the brainstorm. Facilitator’s notes are included in text boxes within the Staff Skill Building Library to help facilitators know what to listen for and when.

When to Use:

The Activity in Training validation method is used directly within the training content, requiring only a few minutes of the facilitator’s time after each session to write notes of what was learned. It is the preferred validation method whenever possible, because it is not noticeable to participants as a “test” and therefore doesn’t raise any anxiety among participants, and is more likely to get a true picture of competencies. However, in some circumstances, the facilitator may determine the Activity in Training did not provide enough information about participant learning. In this case, it can be used in combination with another validation method.

Note: For more information about using an Activity in Training as a validation method, including a copy of a Sample Activity Validation Notes Sheet, download Training Validation Methods: A how-to guide for assessing participant learning.