Spider’s Web

If you are working with a small group, it is often very useful to monitor processes. It is also useful to have a tool that can encourage discussion between group members about how an event is progressing over several days, or to consider the overall learning process.  The spider’s web is a series of lines running outwards from a central point like the spokes of a wheel. Each line should relate to a separate criterion, e.g. level of participation or working environment, and be addressed in response to a specific question. For example, ‘To what extent has our learning been affected by…?’ If participants are familiar with this type of evaluation, it is best if they select the criteria themselves through a discussion.

The group should then agree on a scale on each line, and discuss about the extent to which that criterion has been having an effect. When this has been done for each criterion, and a mark placed on each line at the appropriate point, another line can be drawn between each point. This exercise can then be repeated at different stages of the training or workshop, with new points and connecting lines added. After several times, the resulting diagram will look like a spider’s web. The group can discuss what they feel about changes mapped on the web (some criteria may be having more or less effect), and what measures could be taken to improve or sustain the process.

For example: To what extent has our learning so far been affected by these different criteria?