Challenges with Traditional Smile Sheets and the Need for Evaluation Expertise

Learner surveys get a hard wrap: at best they’re a waste of time, at worst they actually mislead us. But what if we just did them well? 

This week on The Mind Tools L&D Podcast, Gemma and Ross G are joined by Dr Will Thalheimer to discuss the second edition of Performance-Focused Learner Surveys – a book so exciting that Will wrote it twice! 

We discuss:  

• why most learner surveys suck, despite L&D pros insisting they want to evaluate learning  

• how to create effective questions that give you actionable insights 

• why learner surveys are ‘pure sex’.  

You can buy the book here: tier1performance.com/performance-focused-learner-surveys/  

In WILTW, Will recommended The Extended Mind by Annie Paul. 

Ross G discussed the logistics of how 1st and 2nd-class stamps are managed by the Post Office: lbc.co.uk/radio/special-shows/the-mystery-hour/culture/what-is-the-real-difference-between-first-and-seco/ 

For more from Will, see: worklearning.com 

Will’s now working at Tier1 Performance: tier1performance.com/  

For more from us, including access to our back catalogue of podcasts, visit mindtoolsbusiness.com. There, you'll also find details of our award-winning performance support toolkit, our off-the-shelf e-learning, and our custom work.   

Connect with our speakers    

If you'd like to share your thoughts on this episode, connect with our speakers on Twitter: 

• Gemma Towersey - @gemmatowersey 

• Ross Garner - @rossgarnerMT 

• Will Thalheimer – @WillWorkLearn