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The
needs assessment should take place before
the
design process is undertaken. The needs assessment, in essence,
determines why
the instruction is required. It defines the "need," based on such
information as existing data (survey results, focus groups, case
studies), a
teacher's experiences, or societal needs.
As shown in the diagram below, the need might be a "gap"
in knowledge that is necessary for a learner to succeed. This gap would
be
"filled in" by the information received in a course or program that
you design and deliver. Identifying the gap – the need – is
the first step in the distance education development process. Most
courses – traditional and distance-delivered –
are based on learning needs that were identified in previous semesters,
especially if the course has been taught many times. A traditionally
taught
course that is being modified for distance delivery may not
need a formal
needs assessment conducted. However, it is advised that the
instructor
take into account the need to revise, and possibly to exclude, certain
information that may be more campus-based and may not be relevant to
students
at a distance.
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Graphic courtesy of International Rice Research Institute |
Needs assessments can be based on instructors' past experiences with other courses. Needs assessments also can be surveys sent to potential audience members (learners) to find out what they need to know in a course. In addition to determining the need for particular content, an audience analysis may need to be conducted at the onset. The audience analysis can be based on students who have taken similar distance education courses. Or a formal survey instrument, detailing student demographics, learning style, or personality type, may need to be developed. Some items to consider in your audience analysis include:
- Demographics (age, educational level)
- Geographic location (proximity to support services)
- Technology skills/apprehension
- Prerequisite knowledge of the content.
Here are some examples of how distance education instructors or entire distance education programs have assessed students' capabilities and readiness for the distance learning environment:
Is Distance Education
For You?
University of
http://ics.ifas.ufl.edu/disted_survey/
Distance
Education Self Diagnostic Questionnaire, University of
Do I Want to
Learn at
a Distance?
http://www.distance-educator.com/portals/quiz.html
Are Distance-Learning
Courses
for Me? Center for Independent Learning
http://www.cod.edu/dept/CIL/CIL_Surv.htm
Keep
moving to goals and objectives.
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