The Perils of Paper-Based Feedback

At Coursecheck, the majority of our conversations are with people who are responsible for providing training services. And without exception, the value and importance placed upon delegate feedback is absolute.

So why is the vast majority of this feedback still collected via paper-based forms?

For more years than any of us can remember, delegate feedback has been collected via paper-based forms in the classroom. And, whilst many other elements of training provision have been modernised over the years, feedback is one process that often gets overlooked. Organisations seem wedded to the idea that feedback can only be collected, on paper, at point of training delivery.

What are the pitfalls of continuing with this approach?

• Honesty - Paper-based forms lack anonymity so any negative comments, especially if these relate to the trainer and if they are returned at point of learning, won’t necessarily be entered onto a paper-based form. Additionally, people in a rush to leave at the end of a long day in a training room, are less inclined to give you insightful feedback.
• Precision - Manually transferring data from paper forms, assuming this is something you do for analysis purposes, onto a spreadsheet can be prone to human error. Online forms accurately collect and collate every piece of information the student shares with pre-built analysis available for you to view as soon as the feedback has been uploaded.
• Quality vs quantity - Response rates for paper vs. online feedback forms may (although not necessarily) be lower with online. But in our experience, the additional insight from digital feedback, more than compensates for any drop-in response rates. Delegates can give considered responses in their own time, and any “free-form” comment areas, which are mostly ignored on paper forms (unless particularly positive or negative), are readily available for review.
• Timing is everything – If a delegate writes something that requires an immediate response, then having instant visibility of what’s been written, enables those job is to respond, to do so straight away. With paper-based forms, by the time a manager is alerted, days or even weeks may have passed, and the opportunity to react is missed.

And there is, of course, the very compelling “paperless” reason to go digital. Aside from the obvious conservation element, paper forms have to be printed, collated and distributed. This takes time and costs money.

The Coursecheck approach

Digital feedback systems allow your delegates to submit their feedback, in confidence, and you can gather ALL the information you need to evaluate the performance of courses you have commissioned, and of the educators who have delivered the training.

By using our digital feedback forms, you receive honest independent reviews you can trust. This includes the comments areas, which are often ignored on paper-based responses.

The turnaround time between receiving your feedback and you being able to act is short and error free. And by being able to immediately respond to any highs (or lows) you have relevant interactions that will grow a positive community of followers.

All of this whilst also eliminating the printing cost of clumsy paper feedback forms so you save money and add to your green credentials.

To find out more, or to take a no-obligation free trial, please contact us today.