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Instructional Design Activity: Needs Analysis

 

Overall Instructor Rating: Satisfactory

Ratings explanation:

  • Exemplary - A model answer in almost every way (this is given out very rarely).
  • Satisfactory - Very well done; you've met the expectations of the assignment. There are some minor problems, so read my feedback well.
  • Marginal Pass - You pass, but there are lots of issues to consider. Read my feedback very carefully and be sure you understand the points/issues I raise.
  • Not satisfactory, redo and resubmit - The assignment was not completed appropriately. I am concerned that you do not understand the process well enough yet. To get credit for the assignment, you need to redo it, most probably on another topic. Read and consider my feedback very carefully before redoing.

Instructor's Overall Feedback:

Very good! You've demonstrated a firm grasp of needs assessment procedures!

 

1. Preliminary: Describe the context within which this potential instructional problem takes place. This will pinpoint where the problem is located. If instruction is deemed necessary, this will be the place where it will be designed and implemented.

a. List the context, also known as the "system of interest".

Your final response:

Newton High School's Business Education Career Development Program

b. Describe or show how the context relates to the bigger environment. Show how this context relates to other levels of the system within which it works.

Your final response:

The business education department of Newton High School consists of three instructors and approximately 450 students. This program allows students the opportunity to explore various careers related to business (accounting, financial services, information technology). Newton High is one of two high schools located in Newton County.

The instructor's feedback to step 1:

No specific feedback given on this step.

2. Symptoms of a problem. Write a brief description of some symptoms that make you stop and wonder if something is wrong.

Your final response:

Students complete the projects as required but remain unsure about future plans. They focus only on completion of the assignment in an effort to receive a passing grade for the course. The projects do not allow them to explore their unique abilities, interests, and skills.

Using the evidence cited above, describe why you believe that these symptoms signal a problem. Keeping these questions in mind, describe the reasons for identifying these symptoms as problematic.

Your final response:

The projects used fulfill curriculum requirements but do not allow the students an opportunity for self examination. Department of Labor reports indicate that employees will change jobs approximately eight times before finding a job that suits their interests, abilities, and personalities.

The instructor's feedback to step 2:

No specific feedback given on this step.

3. Preliminary Problem Statement. Based on 1 and 2, write a preliminary draft problem statement. Your context should be the subject of the statement. This is just the initial pass -- the statement will be revised in subsequent steps.

Your final response:

The career development program does not allow students the opportunity to develop a personalized career plan.

The instructor's feedback to step 3:

No specific feedback given on this step.

4. Verify the problem and determine specific needs. Two things will now happen concurrently. First, you need a systematic procedure to identify and collect data in order to verify that a problem exists. Second, you must identify information that the data sources may help uncover.

 

Data sources (who, what)

Information gathered

What did you find? (Needs)*

Example: Interview participants in course; administer class survey; administer test of understanding.

Example: Participant opinions on IDAs and course; Participant score on test.

Example: Participants believe there is too much jargon (felt need); Participants don't understand ID vocabulary as compared to other classes (comparative need); Participants don't score above national average (comparative need); Participants don't/couldn't see the relation between their work and the ID process)

Your final response:

1. Administer a class survey to determine the percentage of students with a career plan. 2. Analyze Georgia Department of Labor employment statistics for the community. 3. Conduct interviews with business teachers and career guidance counselors. 4. Conduct interviews with current students and recent graduates regarding career plans.

Your final response:

1. Student responses to class survey regarding career plans. 2. Data retrieved from the GDL regarding community employment. 3. Responses received from business teachers and career guidance counselors. 4. Responses received from current students and recent graduates.

Your final response:

1. Of the students surveyed, 85% do not have a current career plan. (comparative need) 2. Data gathered from the Georgia Department of Labor reveals a current unemployment rate of 4.5% (as of April 2003).(comparative need) 3. Teachers and Counselors both report that students are unable to develop a definitive career plan. Both suggest the possibility of utilizing an online career interest inventory module as part of this process. (felt need) 4. Current students report that career units should allow them to explore more options and not be restricted to course related careers (i.e. Accounting course researches only careers related to accounting.) Recent graduates report the need for further exploration into careers that are related to their personalities, skills, and interests. (felt need)

*Note: You are not required to gather data; you can draw on your experience or imagination to list the data you might gather.

The instructor's feedback to step 4:

No specific feedback given on this step.

5. Prioritize your list of needs.Which are most important? Why are they most important?

Prioritized needs

Reasons/evidence for priority

Your final response:

1. Improve the delivery process of career exploration for students of the business education department. 2. Allow students to explore careers which are suited for their personality types, communication styles, interests, and skills.

Your final response:

By improving the delivery process of career exploration, business teachers can assist students with developing personalized career plans which allow them to utilize their unique styles. Students will then be internally motivated to develop short and long term career goals.

The instructor's feedback to step 5:

No specific feedback given on this step.

6. Rewrite your problem statement. Take a moment to look carefully at the initial problem statement that you wrote. Revisit your prioritized needs and check if your problem statement is still accurate and appropriate.

Rewrite the problem statement here:

Your final response:

The career development program, of Newton High School, does not provide students the opportunity to develop a complete, personalized career plan which would allow for more informed career choices.

The instructor's feedback to step 6:

No specific feedback given on this step.

7. Identify the instructional goals. The last step in Needs Assessment is to list a few goals of instruction. Remember, not all goals can be solved through instruction. The instructional goals you identify will be the starting information for the next steps in the instructional design process. List the instructional goals in order of priority.

 

Instructional goals by priority

Reasons for importance

Your final response:

1. The focus/objective of career exploration will be revised to include personal assessments of personality style, skills, interests, and abilities. 2. Students, upon completion of the career exploration course, will have a personalized career plan. 3. Business teachers will evaluate the effectiveness of the program by conducting follow-up surveys with graduates who have completed the course.

 

Your final response:

1. The focus/objective will need to include personality assessments, and skill/interest inventories in order for the student to develop a personalized plan. 2. The personalized plan will allow students to map short and long term goals related to a career that best suits their personality, interests, and skills. 3. The implementation of the program is to be evaluated for its effectiveness by business teachers and guidance counselors. Problem areas will need to be addressed and revised. Ultimately, the success of the program will be determined by the students. In order for the program to be deemed successful, students will be able to define career goals, pursue necessary education/training, and gain employment.

The instructor's feedback to step 7:

Who is the target audience? Two these are targeted at students and one at teachers.