We speak and train in lots of different venues, and our hosts invariably distribute some kind of evaluation form, either online or in hard copy. In my estimation, one of the most revealing questions you can ask someone who’s participated in a continuing education event is “Did you discuss the ideas that were presented in this session with your co-workers, friends, or family?” If the evaluation must be completed on the same day as the event, you can ask “Do you think you will discuss…?” It doesn’t matter whether attendees LIKE a new idea; further conversation, pro or con, is still an indicator that they have taken something away from the training and begun to internalize it.
–Joan