Baking Success with Kirkpatrick's Model
Level 1: Reaction - The First Bite
You know the feeling when you take that first bite of a freshly baked cookie? That's what Level 1 of Kirkpatrick's Model is all about. It's the initial "taste test" of your training program.
Here's the question: Did your participants enjoy the training as much as you enjoy a good cookie? If their faces light up, you're on the right track. But remember, liking the taste doesn't necessarily mean the cookie (or training) is nutritious.
Level 2: Learning - Cracking the Secret Recipe
Enjoyed the cookie? Now let's dig into the recipe. What makes it so good? The chocolate chips? The dough? Level 2 is where you figure out if the participants have grasped the "ingredients" of the training. Did they understand the concepts? Have they whisked in the new skills properly?
Think of it as cracking the secret recipe behind those heavenly cookies. The better you understand, the better you can replicate or even improve!
Level 3: Behavior - Baking Time!
So, you've tasted the cookie, understood the recipe, and now it's time to bake! Level 3 is all about rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands doughy. Will the participants apply what they learned? Will they bake their own successful batch of cookies?
Just like baking needs careful attention to temperature and timing, applying new skills needs practice and precision. If your trainees can "bake" success on their own, you know the training is working.
Level 4: Results - Sharing the Cookie Love
You've baked the most amazing cookies, and now it's time to share them with friends or maybe even sell them at a local fair. Level 4 measures the big-picture impact. Did the training lead to improved performance? Did it sweeten the deal for the whole organization?
If you're handing out cookies that make people come back for more, you know you've nailed the recipe. Similarly, training that leads to real-world results is a win for everyone.