CIQ Evaluation

Active, responsive, critical reflection on experience is praxis and praxis changes things.

The Format Stephen Brookfield’s awkwardly named Critical Incident Questionnaire (CIQ)* is my evaluation of choice. Why? Well, just that. By adding the critical thinking question ‘Why?’ to the end of each of the five CIQ questions, the data becomes useful. CIQs tell me verbatim what I need to change which, after all, is the whole point.

Praxis

The Process Many options here but working physically with a group using large sheets of paper is quick and effective, especially when participants are tired at the end of an intensive session. This takes no more then 10 minutes, depending on the size of the group.

  1. Pre-prepare large sheets of paper with the five CIQ questions (see below).
  2. Ask participants to write at least one comment on each sheet. Make the point that responses will lack meaning if they don’t include the why.
  3. Type up verbatim and share with contributors.

The Questions

  1. At what point (during the experience) were you most engaged with what was happening, and why?
  2. At what point (during the experience) were you most distanced from what was happening, and why?
  3. What action that anyone took did you find affirming or helpful, and why?
  4. What action that anyone took did you find puzzling or confusing, and why?
  5. What surprised you the most, and why?

*http://www.stephenbrookfield.com/ciq/