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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:

Donoria, You have done a great job on this IDA. Most of the small issues I addressed below were common among your classmates. 1a. You context tells me that there is a need for instruction in the Dekalb County Public School System, but it does not tell me which aspect of the system needs the instruction. From your problem statement, I would suggest that the context be something like "Health Education Course." Notice from Lloyd's example, the context is "Instructional Design Course," which is more specific than 'colleges in Georgia,' for example. 1b. You did a great job describing the system, but you do not mention any platforms of delivery such as a text book, videos, PowerPoint presentations, guest speakers, etc... (see Lloyd's example) 6. Your initial problem statement was good. You included it in your response in #6, but added a suggestion on how to fix it. Although not wrong, the suggestion you provide is not necessary because that is what you are doing in this IDA - you will be creating/revising a health education program. Great job and good luck with your future IDAs! Email me if you have any questions. Lindsay

 

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:

DeKalb County School System, Middle Schools (Pilot - Champion Middle School)

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:

DeKalb County School System provides educational opportunities for more than 100,000 children in one of the largest counties in Georgia. The students and staff are diverse reflecting the increasing diversity of DeKalb County and metropolitan Atlanta. There are 20 middle schools serving grades 6 to 8 in the DeKalb County school system. DeKalb supports multiple methods of instructional delivery and creative education through theme schools, magnet programs, ESL and special education classes. Theme schools such as Champion Middle require parental participation and have extensive curriculum for advancing the learning environment and student/teacher interaction.

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:

Obesity is a problem reaching epidemic status in Georgia. Many more students are becoming overweight or obese at earlier ages due to poor nutrition and little physical activity. There are few opportunities for health interventions at the school currently, since physical education and health classes are not taught daily. Students are choosing foods with little to no nutritional value.

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:

According to the DeKalb County Board of Health's Status of Health Report, approximately 17% of DeKalb county high school students were overweight and nearly 12% are considered obese. This is noted to be higher than the national average for overweight or obese high school students. Also, 21% of Hispanic students were considered obese, which represents a greater percentage than other race/ethnicities. In addition, students are displaying less than optimal nutrition and physical activity behaviors. Less than 17% of high school students reported consuming at least 5 fruits and vegetables daily. 19% also reported little or no daily physical activity. 66% of the respondents did not have a physical education course each day. These high school statistics support the observations regarding poor nutrition and minimal physical activity at the middle school level.

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 DeKalb County School System does not provide nutrition and physical activity education that middle school students embrace.

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:

Data sources will include surveys and key informant interviews of a sample of DeKalb county Middle school administrators, cafeteria staff, teachers and students. In addition, parent and community surveys would highlight existing physical activity and nutrition norms in the students' home environment.

Your final response:

Information gathered included knowledge, perceived and actual availability of healthy food choices/options and physical activity options in the school. Also, survey respondents will report fruit and vegetable consumption, attitudes and beliefs on nutrition and physical activity (ease, importance, desirability, knowledge, etc). Student weight & height to calculate BMI (body mass index is an estimate of body fat).

Your final response:

Students have little knowledge about readily available nutritious foods in their school and home environments- expressed need. Knowledge among students, parents and community on the ease of preparing nutritious meals was minimal - normative need (Need to be informed of easy meal preparation techniques). Students were less likely to participate in physical activity if there were female or reported no extra-curricular activities, similar to national norms. The majority of respondents did not report eating 5 or more fruits and vegetables daily - normative 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) Students have little knowledge about readily available nutritious foods in their school and home environments- expressed need - need to learn of available foods. 2) Knowledge among students, parents and community on the ease of preparing nutritious meals was minimal - normative need (Need to be informed of easy meal preparation techniques). 3) The majority of respondents did not report eating 5 or more fruits and vegetables daily - normative need - Need to learn importance/relevance of F&V consumption. 4) Students were less likely to participate in physical activity if there were female or reported no extra-curricular activities, similar to national norms - normative need - Need to increase physical activity particularly in these subgroups.

Your final response:

Knowing that fruits and vegetables are available and easy to prepare and "tasty" to eat may entice families, particularly middle school students, to eat more nutritious meals. Physical activity should accompany improved nutrition. However, the students are not obese/overweight currently and could benefit most from preventive efforts to improve nutrition and maintain physical activity levels for those most active (and improve physical activity levels for inactive individuals).

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 DeKalb County School System does not provide nutrition and physical activity education that middle school students embrace. The current curriculum should be revised to include methods and instructional techniques to engage middle school students and encourage lifestyle behavior change.

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:

Students will be able to identify nutritious foods, snacks and meal combinations. Students will encourage parents/guardians to purchase fruits and vegetables and utilize healthy meal preparation techniques. Students will be able to identify methods of physical activity and engage in them at least 3-5 days per week.

 

Your final response:

These instructional goals are key to encouraging lasting behavior change regarding physical activity and nutrition. Increased knowledge, empowers the students to make wise food choices without compromising taste or their own preferences.

The instructor's feedback to step 7:

No specific feedback given on this step.