An activity is not evidence of learning: a practical exercise
A group exchanges ideas, participants seem engaged and the session goes well. This shows participation. It does not yet tell you whether each person can check a claim or justify a choice. To observe that learning, you need an individual record linked to the objective.
Start with an observable action
“Understand the data” does not say exactly what the person will do. “Calculate a proportion and check whether it exceeds half” is more precise. The activity can then provide a small case file, request a calculation and then a justification. The criterion becomes visible: a correct result and a conclusion consistent with the data.
Here is a fictional case: out of twenty responses, eight prefer the morning, seven the afternoon and five give no preference. A summary states: “The majority choose the morning.” Morning leads the expressed preferences, but eight out of twenty is 40%, not a majority. The five responses with no preference must not be arbitrarily added to the eight for the morning.
Ask for a response before the discussion
First ask each person to classify the statement: established fact, hypothesis or error. Then ask for the data that supports their classification. This individual stage prevents you from confusing the fluency of two participants with the understanding of the whole group.
In pairs, participants then compare their reasoning. The group discussion focuses on the evidence: denominator, calculation and scope of the conclusion. The answer guide explains why a statement can be convincing yet incorrect.
Keep an exit-task record
At the end, change one element of the case. For example: “Seven people prefer the afternoon, so this time slot will suit the whole group.” The expected answer is not simply “false”: it must explain that seven preferences do not prove everyone’s availability.
This record remains formative. It is not a certification, and the criteria must be adapted to the participants’ level. For an experienced group, add uncertainty about data collection; for beginners, retain only a proportion and a capacity.
Choose the appropriate material
Séance Secours provides a complete case, a 45-minute session plan and an answer guide free of charge. Its six pages can be viewed through the Payhip preview. Atelier Preuve, at €19, extends the practice to six workshops: facts and hypotheses, a suspicious message, the cost of a tool, an AI instruction, explaining data and instructional alignment. It includes editable worksheets and an offline preparation tool.
The right choice is not the material with the most pages. It is the one that lets participants practise the intended action and enables you to examine individual evidence. Start with one case, observe errors and adapt the next session.
