What is the first level of Kirkpatrick's 4 Levels of Evaluation?

The first level of Kirkpatrick's 4 Levels of Evaluation is the Reaction level. This level assesses how participants respond to the training they have received. Specifically, it evaluates their immediate reactions, including their feelings, perceptions, and satisfaction with the training experience.

Understanding participants' reactions is crucial as it helps to determine how well the training was received and whether it met the participants' expectations. Positive reactions can lead to a greater willingness to apply what was learned, thus laying a foundation for the subsequent levels of evaluation. This initial feedback is essential for instructional designers to improve and tailor their training programs effectively.

Other levels in Kirkpatrick's model build upon the Reaction level, focusing on learning outcomes, behavior changes in the workplace, and the overall results of the training program, but the initial feedback gathered through the Reaction level is what informs those further assessments.