166 - Lessons and Opportunities for Evaluators in Assessing Experiential Learning

Abstract Information: As an Experiential Learning Coordinator in the nutrition and dietetics field, effective evaluations and feedback are crucial for the wellbeing of our program structure. Although encouraged by the dietetics’ accrediting body and the university to gain student and preceptor perspectives, there is little guidance on how to effectively determine the state of the program, student experience, and preceptor insight. Within this review, we will be determining best practices and comparing evaluation data to see what assessment methods are most impactful for an experiential learning program. One topic that this poster presentation will cover includes how to deliver preceptor feedback. How do we distribute constructive feedback on preceptor teaching abilities while maintaining positive, nonconfrontational relationships with these individuals who are volunteering their time to aid the program? One method we will explore in this research is allowing preceptors to participate in building the evaluation rubric. We will also explore student evaluations and feedback to determine what is the most effective measure of genuine data. Methods we will be discussing include student reflections, informal student meetings, and standardized evaluation scales. Effective evaluation methods in experiential learning programs support preceptor and student satisfaction along with program integrity.