Introduction to
Instructional
Design

Learner Characteristics/Context Analysis 

  Introduction to learner and context analysis (2:33)

Team Design Options

Learning Objectives
  Learners will:

1. Identify how needs assessment or goal analysis can assist in identifying learner characteristics.

2. Identify various types of learner characteristics and why it is important to know these characteristics in the design of instruction.

3. Be aware of contextual factors in learning and how those factors should be addressed.

4. Demonstrate a knowledge of how instructional design is uniquely influenced by the culture and abilities/disabilities of the learner.

Readings

1. Morrison, Ross, and Kemp, Chapter 3.

2. Learner Characteristics and Instructional Design, Katy Campbell, Academic Technologies for Learning

3. Analyzing Your Learners and Context

Assignments
Working from your instructional problem, your assignment here is to define the learner on whom your instructional problem focuses, and the context in which they learn.  Use the following prompts to guide your work:

1. Cognitive Characteristics
   General aptitudes, language development level, reading level, Level of visual literacy, cognitive processing styles, cognitive and learning strategies , General world knowledge, specific prior knowledge.

2. Physiological characteristics
   Sensory perception, general health, age

3. Affective Characteristics
   Interests, motivation, motivations to learn, attitude toward learning, Attitude toward subject matter, academic self-concept, Anxiety level, Attribution of success (internal/external), 

4. Social Characteristics
   Relationships to peers, feelings toward authority, tendencies toward cooperation or competition, moral development, socioeconomic background, racial/ethnic background, affiliations, role models

5. Description of Setting
   Nature of managerial or supervisor support, physical and structural aspects of the site, relevance of skills to workplace/classroom, support systems (curricular, technological)

6. Description of Learning Environment
   Adaptability for instructional delivery approaches and variety of instructional activities, learning-site constraints, assistance for learners from professionals other than teachers/trainers, levels of peer interaction that support learning. 

Discussion
Team Chat to work on learner characteristics/context analysis: at a time during the week convenient for all members.