Turning a rating scale into a self-evaluation shows how learners assess themselves on the same skills. Glaring differences between the two assessments may mean that the instruction was not as effective as everyone had hoped, or that the learner has an unrealistic view of his/her own performance. While discussing the ratings, the instructor and learner can negotiate future lessons that will have a more positive effect on learning. Sometimes learners do not rate themselves as highly as the instructor feels is appropriate. Then the discussion can serve to give the learner a much-deserved and often much-needed boost of confidence.