Step 4: How to Collect Data Through an Interactive Q and A

Instructors, facilitators or staff may also use an interactive question and answer process to collect data in a more informal way. You can do this by asking questions to learners that draw out the information you are looking for. For example, before beginning a class, the instructor may casually ask learners if they have had an opportunity to apply their learnings so far. Listening carefully for the answers, you may identify learners who are confident enough to have already applied their learning, those who have some barriers to the application of the learning and those who either have no confidence in their abilities or have not learned enough to apply it.

This is also an informal way to complete an exit interview where a learner may be more likely to ‘tell stories’ than they are to formally answer evaluation questions or fill out a form.

Example: Basic Digital Skills

Question: How is everyone doing with sending an email?

Answer: I actually sent my son an email last night for the first time, but I couldn’t figure out how to attach a picture to it.

Observations:

• The learner is starting to use the foundational skills at home.

• The learner felt confident enough to answer the question, whereas they hadn’t before.

• The learner is making progress towards their learning goal.

  Resource: Sample Discussion Questions for Facilitators/Tutors/Instructors

• This method of gathering information can be used for any of the stages of data collection, especially if the learner seems nervous about sharing information.

• Some sample conversation starters could include:
• Have any of you had the opportunity to try this at home yet?
• Did anyone struggle with ______?
• How do you feel about the _______ we learned last week?