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Understanding One's Audience
I am the program coordinator and instructor for a MAT program, so I have the ability and privilege to review all my audience's applications for enrollment. As a result of this, I utilize the layered approach because I can view "what is the learner" information prior to instructing them (Stefaniak & Baaki, 2013). Below is a screenshot of the requirements for enrollment:
Reviewing the applications allows me to see several of the identifying learner characteristic highlighted by Stefaniak and Baaki (2013). I know their gender, estimated age, work experience, and education. All of these components allow me to have an understanding of their prerequisite skills. I also require them to submit an essay that asks them why they want to enroll in the MAT program, which allows me to determine what is their motivation and attitude towards becoming a teacher. In addition to these methods to understand my audience, I meet with each newly enrolled student to talk about the program layout, course delivery, expectations, work history, etc... I believe this provides me with the ability start to get to know "who the learner is" (Stefaniak&Baaki, 2013).
As their instructor, I require my audience to complete an introduction in all of my courses. In each course, I add layers of getting to know them by having different introduction actitities:
Introduction EDU 615
Introduction EDU 638
The different introductions allow me to see what they hope to achieve in this course and provides additional insight into who they are, which gives me the ability to modify my design based on their answers.
What I need to improve upon/implement?
I need to work on determining my audience's level of technology prior to starting the first course in the program as well as their learning preference. I am going to create a survey upon admittance into the program that allows me to see what their technology level and learning preferences are using Google Forms. I can then determine any skill-gaps of the audience (Andriotis, 2017).
The survey shows me what job tools (tutorials) for the technology I need to create as well as instructional design components that support their learning needs.
I also know I need to do a better job of adjusting my instructional design for the lateral entry students in my courses. The needs analysis will also help me determine the type of experimental opportunities I should provide them (Merriam & Bierema, 2013). The lateral entry teachers are currently already working in the classrooms, so I need to make sure their learning is directly connected to their experiences and/or environment (Kolb, 2014).
References:
Andriotis, N. (2017). Know you audience! A smart guide for analyzing your learners' needs. Retrieved from https://www.efrontlearning.com/blog/2016/10/guide-learners-needs-analysis.html
Kolb, D. A. (2014). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development.Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Merriam, S. B., & Bierema, L. L. (2013). Adult learning: Linking theory and practice. San Francisco, CA : John Wiley & Sons.
Stefaniak, J. E., & Baaki, J. (2013). A layered approach to understanding your audience. Performance Improvement, 52(6), 5-10.
Kolb, D. A. (2014). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development.Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Merriam, S. B., & Bierema, L. L. (2013). Adult learning: Linking theory and practice. San Francisco, CA : John Wiley & Sons.
Stefaniak, J. E., & Baaki, J. (2013). A layered approach to understanding your audience. Performance Improvement, 52(6), 5-10.
Amy, I, too, struggle with how to address the various levels of technology expertise my students bring to the online classroom. I think that because my students are older 9ranging from their 30s to 60s) many seem to want a face-to-face approach combined with the flexibility of online instruction...What a combination! Some students come and tell me they are afraid of technology but want a masters degree and see this as the only way to obtain one.
ReplyDeleteI tend to meet individually with each student in a video conference, but I like your survey idea. Asking them about their level of comfort with the various tech items (emails, blogging, making videos, etc) might be a good addition to what we currently do.
I think this all leads to the issue of needing an online graduate level orientation course/microcredentials that certify students are ready to begin
I agree! An orientation/on boarding for all online graduate courses is needed. It would allow consistency among all programs as well if one was created.
DeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteThe graduation application, the transcripts, etc: I'm thinking you get access to these documents because you are the Program Coordinator. It is amazingly useful information. I wish that all faculty could have access to it, at least for the students in their classes. This information is critically important especially in an online course. When I try to determine, for instance, the age of my students I either have to guess or ask them. Instructors need all the information in order to craft the best educational environment possible.
Shaun
Shaun,
DeleteYes, having access to the application is extremely helpful. Also, I have a small program and I teach them more than once, so that also makes it easier for me to get to know my students.
Amy
Amy,
ReplyDeleteYou are very clever and I hope you share your technology survey when you have an opportunity. I would love to see how you approach to gathering that information.
I also particularly like the way you use paddle to organize audience information. Padlet has always been a favorite tool of mine - I have even tried alternate tools, but I always go back to Padlet. Gathering the image with the data is a great idea.
Thanks for sharing such great ideas.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteThis information given to you through the application process for the MAT program is setting you up nicely as the instructor. I like the essay portion of getting to know your students. Know what motivates them and what their passions are is vital, even at the college level. Adding to Dr. Williams' comment; If all faculty was given this information for the students they teach, they would be better prepared and have the opportunity to adjust their representation accordingly. I think it would also help create a more personal learning environment and open the door for relationship building between students and instructor. Some Universities now require students to take a "Prepare To Learn Online" class, making students aware of the expectations of e-learning and gaging their technological levels and abilities. Great post, always learning something new.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteYour blog was very interesting and I enjoyed the break down of how you get to know and learn about your audience. In your post where you mentioned improving knowledge or students level of knowledge by having students create a Google Form, I think that is a wonderful idea and will allow you to gather the information needed.