Analysing the teaching and learning needs

1. Analysing the teaching and learning needs Workshop for WSI CGVE / ABE teachers V.10420.02.2006 Carol Walsh

2. Outline • What is involved in a needs analysis? • What information do I need to gather? • Example of current learning resource project (Preparation for Work and Study – numeracy resources) Presentation name v.100

3. What is a needs analysis? • A needs analysis is a detailed investigation of the resource need/s to help find a solution to those need/s. • A needs analysis helps to define the type of resource that will be developed. It involves: • building a profile of the target audience • Identifying the nature of the learning environment • Identifying the education and training needs • determining how the content will be organised • determining the digital media requirements Presentation name v.100

4. Building a profile of the target audience and the learning environment • Find out about the broad characteristics of the students and/or teachers who will use the resource, including: • age • gender • level of language and literacy skills • computer skills • computer access • prior knowledge of the content • online experience • access to teacher support and or peer contact • any other defining characteristics • Questions to ask: • Why would they use this resource? • How would they use this resource? Presentation name v.100

5. Education and training needs • Find out more about the nature of the content and the education and training requirements for the resource. Refer to the: • training package • specific units of competence (check the unit guides, range statements as well as the elements and performance criteria) • syllabus documents • Determine the learning design approach: • What skills and knowledge are required? • What content will be required to meet the education and training needs of the resource? • How will the content be organised? • What activity types will be appropriate for this target audience? • What pedagogical models would be most appropriate? • What delivery options are realistic and achievable? Presentation name v.100

6. Media requirements • Start thinking about the type of media that will be appropriate for the target users. Is there a need for: • graphics, including images • illustrations • video • audio • animations • Interactive activities • tools for reflection and collaboration (Blogs, Wikis, Social bookmarking, Virtual conferencing) • Technical and accessibility requirements: • DET technical specifications for developing online resources • http://www.cli.nsw.edu.au/optionkeys/ Presentation name v.100

7. Preparation for Work and Study (PWS) – numeracy resources project • Steps involved in analysing the teaching and learning needs for PWS numeracy resource project: • established reference group of key stakeholders • researched the target audience • low literacy and numeracy skills • low confidence • limited computer skills • wide age range • self-paced and teacher assisted • identified specific units of competence (checked the unit guides, range statements as well as the elements and performance criteria) • began mapping themes to units of competence • surveyed teachers using ‘survey monkey’ (The survey can be accessed at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=970573930112) Presentation name v.100

8. Summarise the needs and plan the project • Once the needs have been identified: • Find the solution (eg, Self-paced learning resource? Collection of existing tools or resources with a learner guide? • develop a project plan • For PWS numeracy project the teaching and learning resources will include: • CD-ROM containing existing resources (for teachers) • DVD video for contextual information (for learners) • CD-ROM containing activities, printable resources, audio, high level of graphics) Presentation name v.100