There are many different ways to evaluate a session, with both qualitative and quantitative methods available. The reasons behind the evaluation and the stakeholders involved may help in deciding the most relevant method of evaluation. Each stakeholder can also carry out their own evaluation with reference to their involvement. Arts Council England require artist to give information on their methods of evaluation before issuing grants. They outline nine main benefits of evaluation; 1, to help with planning; 2, to keep the practitioner on track and avoid disasters; 3,to help adapt and change; 4, for quality assurance; 5, to prove value; 6, for records contribution; 7, to help others; 8, to report to others; and 9, support future applications (Amans, 2008).
In the class I lead during a Methods of Practice session we conducted a qualitative evaluation with the participants, as the aim of the evaluation was to identify ways to improve the class. The participants were asked to gather in a circle at the end of the session and give one good and one bad point of the session, including what they would like to change. A number of students commented on the length of time spent on each section of the class, pointing out how there was more time spent on the warm up routine than the action motif. In future I would make the warm up routine simpler to allow the class to follow without being taught, allowing more time to focus on the action motif. The participants also pointed out that when the warm up routine started it was taught quite fast, without giving the students time to learn it correctly. However, when the pace of teaching was reduced students said they found it much easier to follow. In future I would make sure I taught at a slower pace throughout. One of the good points from the session as pointed out by participants was that when it came to performing their own motifs they were allowed to perform two at a time, which was said to take the pressure off and allowed them to feel more comfortable. Additionally by completing a self evaluation I outlined a few things I would change. Firstly when teaching the motif and warm up I faced away from the students, in future I would face them so they can hear instructions clearer. I would also spend more time on explaining action and space (the two topics we covered during the class) as I feel although each participant completed the tasks efficiently, they could not of fully understood the concept. The results will enable me to conduct the session better next time, allowing better use of planning to achieve objectives. Lastly, at the end of my next session I will also give out an anonymous feedback form. To allow the participants to give any feedback they may not want to say directly to me or in front of the group.
Bibliography
Amans, Diane (2008) An Introduction to Community Dance Practice, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. P 163 – 181