Needs Assessment

Assessing Needs to Identify Instructional Goal(s) : 

Assessing Needs to Identify Instructional Goal(s) Chapter 2: Dick & Carey

Background : 

Background Needs Assessments = NAs Nas thought to be the most critical part of the I.D. process NAs used to identify instructional goals

Needs Assessments (NAs) are used to identify instructional goals(review) : 

Needs Assessments (NAs) are used to identify instructional goals(review)

NAs are: : 

NAs are: Used to identify the nature of the organizational problem Used to solve an problem existing actuals optiomals feelings causes solutions

Methods used to identify goals : 

Methods used to identify goals SME (Subject Matter Expert) PT (Performance Technology)

SMEs : 

SMEs 1. Teach how they were taught 2. Teach what they were taught 3. Try to improve on number 2 4. Tend to emphasize communication of information from trainer to student

PTs : 

PTs Goals set in response to problems No preconceived notion of: what will be included in the instructional package what training is needed IDers works with those in charge of quality & productivity goals

Instructional goals defined : 

Instructional goals defined Defined as: What you want the learner to be able to do after training (instruction) Derived from: a needs assessment a list of goals practical experiences an analysis of someone doing the job (task analysis)

Instr. goals defined, cont’d. : 

Instr. goals defined, cont’d. Are rather broad indications of the problem to be solved A goal analysis is then used to find a more refined statement(s) that focus on what the learner will be able to do

Instructional goals are stated in terms of: : 

Instructional goals are stated in terms of: Skills Knowledge Attitudes

Instructional goals use action verbs : 

Instructional goals use action verbs “Will solve...” “Will blind rivet” “Will apply...”

“Good”instructional goals : 

“Good”instructional goals Describe the problem precisely Determine how to solve it efficiently & effectively Save $$$$$$$$ when instruction is found not to be needed or is misplaced

Examples of “Fuzzy” Instructional Goals : 

Examples of “Fuzzy” Instructional Goals Appreciating handmade furniture Sensing good paintings Being aware of how to make hot cakes

How to Clarify a Fuzzy Goal : 

How to Clarify a Fuzzy Goal 1. Write it down 2. Brainstorm to identify the behaviors learners would demonstrate to reflect their achievement of the goal 3. Select those behaviors that best represent the goal 4. Select indicators of the behavior

Clarifying fuzzy goals, cont’d. : 

Clarifying fuzzy goals, cont’d. 5. Incorporate each indicator into a statement that describes what the learner will do 6. Evaluate the resulting statement for its clarity and relationship to the original fuzzy notion

Clarifying a Fuzzy Goal -- Example : 

Clarifying a Fuzzy Goal -- Example Original goal: Personnel will know the value of courteous, friendly service.

Clarifying a Fuzzy Goal (continued) : 

Clarifying a Fuzzy Goal (continued) Revised Version: Personnel will demonstrate courteous, friendly behavior while greeting customers, transacting business, and concluding transactions

Clarifying a Fuzzy Goal (continued) : 

Clarifying a Fuzzy Goal (continued) Final goal: Personnel will demonstrate courteous, friendly behavior while greeting customers, transacting business, and concluding transactions by initiating conversations, personalizing comments, focusing attention, assisting with forms, and concluding with a “thanks” and a wish for the customer’s well-being

Summary : 

Summary Needs Assessments are used to determine instructional goals Using SMEs to develop goals may cause problems Most new goals are “fuzzy” Fuzzy goals can be rewritten