From Feedback to Improvement
Evaluation closes the loop between planning and improvement. It transforms individual impressions into actionable insights, demonstrates impact to funders, and ensures every hackathon is better than the last.
END OF DAY 2 · 5–10 MIN
Experiences still vivid; highest response rate. Used to confirm findings and gather raw reactions.
3–7 DAYS AFTER
More considered responses on learning outcomes, skill development, and suggestions for improvement.
1–3 MONTHS AFTER
Captures whether skills were actually applied; career and educational changes; lasting attitude shifts.
FOUR ASSESMENT METHODS
Participants rate their own skills before and after using the DigComp framework.
Best for: self-perceived growth
Participants compile project artefacts, reflections, and documentation into a learning portfolio.
Best for: evidence of applied skills
Team members assess each other; mentors complete observation rubrics at end of each day.
Best for: collaborative skills
Short quiz before and after on theme-specific content; objective, comparable across cohorts.
Best for: conceptual learning
DIGICOLLAB CORE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Can use collaborative digital tools; created a digital prototype or presentation.
Applied a structured framework; iterated based on feedback.
Contributed to team decisions; presented work to a wider audience.
Considered environmental impact in solution design.
Designed for diverse user groups; considered accessibility.
Expressed increased confidence in ability to tackle open-ended challenges.
Impact occurs at multiple levels — individual, institutional, community, and systemic. Comprehensive impact analysis captures changes across all levels over time.
FIVE LEVELS OF IMPACT
Individual
Skill development, confidence, career awareness, changed attitudes. Time horizon: Immediate – 12+ months.
Individual
Skill development, confidence, career awareness, changed attitudes. Time horizon: Immediate – 12+ months.
Team
Collaborative problem-solving, cross-cultural understanding, peer learning. Time horizon: Immediate – 6+ months.
Team
Collaborative problem-solving, cross-cultural understanding, peer learning. Time horizon: Immediate – 6+ months.
Institutional
Changes in pedagogy, new partnerships, adoption as a recurring format. Time horizon: 3 months – 2+ years.
Institutional
Changes in pedagogy, new partnerships, adoption as a recurring format. Time horizon: 3 months – 2+ years.
Community
Solutions addressing real local needs; VET–community connections. Time horizon: 6 months – 3+ years.
Community
Solutions addressing real local needs; VET–community connections. Time horizon: 6 months – 3+ years.
Systemic
Contribution to European VET policy goals; replication; open dissemination. Time horizon: 1 year – 5+ years.
Systemic
Contribution to European VET policy goals; replication; open dissemination. Time horizon: 1 year – 5+ years.
Individual
Skill development, confidence, career awareness, changed attitudes. Time horizon: Immediate – 12+ months.
Team
Collaborative problem-solving, cross-cultural understanding, peer learning. Time horizon: Immediate – 6+ months.
Institutional
Changes in pedagogy, new partnerships, adoption as a recurring format. Time horizon: 3 months – 2+ years.
Community
Solutions addressing real local needs; VET–community connections. Time horizon: 6 months – 3+ years.
Systemic
Contribution to European VET policy goals; replication; open dissemination. Time horizon: 1 year – 5+ years.
FEEDBACK AREAS
WHAT TO ASK
Overall rating (1–10) · Would you recommend this hackathon? · Best moment of the event?
Which skills did you develop? · Confidence before vs. after (1–5) · What surprised you most?
Which theme did your team focus on? · How well did you understand the challenge brief?
Team collaboration rating (1–10) · Did everyone contribute? · What made teamwork effective?
Mentor helpfulness (1–10) · Was guidance given at the right moments?
Venue and catering ratings · Was the schedule well-paced? · Were materials adequate?
Was the challenge clear and well-defined? · Was difficulty level appropriate?
What should we definitely keep? · What should we change? · What was missing?
DOCUMENTATION CHECKLIST
CAPTURE EVERYTHING
Thorough documentation ensures that the lessons, outputs, and memories of your hackathon outlast the event itself. Assign ownership for each category before the event begins.
FOUR DOCUMENTATION PHASES
Pre-Event
Objectives, budget, team roles, timeline, challenge briefs. Format: Planning folder · Shared cloud drive.
Pre-Event
Objectives, budget, team roles, timeline, challenge briefs. Format: Planning folder · Shared cloud drive.
During
Photos, video of presentations, mentor logs, attendance records. Format: Photographer assigned · Cloud upload in real time.
During
Photos, video of presentations, mentor logs, attendance records. Format: Photographer assigned · Cloud upload in real time.
Post-Event
Feedback forms, judging scoresheets, participant submissions, certificates. Format: Secure folder · GDPR-compliant storage.
Post-Event
Feedback forms, judging scoresheets, participant submissions, certificates. Format: Secure folder · GDPR-compliant storage.
Report
Executive summary, learning outcomes data, impact indicators, lessons learned. Format: Final Event Report (template in Annex).
Report
Executive summary, learning outcomes data, impact indicators, lessons learned. Format: Final Event Report (template in Annex).
Pre-Event
Objectives, budget, team roles, timeline, challenge briefs. Format: Planning folder · Shared cloud drive.
During
Photos, video of presentations, mentor logs, attendance records. Format: Photographer assigned · Cloud upload in real time.
Post-Event
Feedback forms, judging scoresheets, participant submissions, certificates. Format: Secure folder · GDPR-compliant storage.
Report
Executive summary, learning outcomes data, impact indicators, lessons learned. Format: Final Event Report (template in Annex).
The Evaluation Phase is where learning becomes visible, impact is measured, and continuous improvement begins. Effective evaluation transforms a one-time event into a catalyst for ongoing innovation in VET education.
Evaluation is not an afterthought — it is an integral part of the learning cycle. What gets measured gets improved, and what gets documented gets shared and replicated.