Introduction:
When designing a course, it important to understand the target audience of the course content. This is critical since it will help ensure that the content developed meets the learning needs of the target audience. Many teachers assume that learners understand a subject the same way they do. This is however very different. Learners grasp content and concepts differently, implying that two different learners may understand the same subject differently. Numerous factors influence the different understanding of different people and it is important to consider these factors when designing a course. This enables delivery of the course content in the most efficient manner for the maximum benefit to the learners. Some of these factors include; prior knowledge about the subject, the aptitude of the learner, the attitude of the learner towards the subject and affective elements that determine how the learner learns best. A variation of these factors will be present for different people. It is therefore important for the course to be designed in a manner that ensures that the learners are able to understand the subject.
Learner’s prior knowledge on subject matter:
The most important of these factors is prior knowledge on the subject matter. Prior knowledge is important since it helps students build on what they already know. This implies that the learner’s prior knowledge plays an important part in the basics digital systems and circuits offered. The general target audience for this course is employees aged between 21 and 65 years old coming from different backgrounds. This is very important information in the design of the course. In this category, it is important to identify the previous knowledge of the audience concerning the subject matter. There are three main categories of employees for this factor. There are employees who have had zero previous experience with digital systems and circuits; there are employees who have minimum experience with digital systems and circuits and employees who are experts on digital systems and circuits.
The design for the course will depend on the level of previous knowledge that the learner has with the subject matter. For learners with zero or little previous experience with the subject, the course requires designing from scratch. This course is concerned with digital systems and circuits. Learners who have worked with electrical circuits have some technical knowledge on how circuits work. The employees targeted in the course are employees of a computer-hardware assembly firm and they are likely to have experience with the systems. The prerequisites for the course are that the eligible learners should have passed a DC/AC electricity course and OSHA 10 training. This means that all the employees have previous knowledge of the subject.
Learner’s aptitude:
The second factor is the aptitudes of the learners. This is very important in the design of the course in order to ensure that the learners are able to benefit from the course content provided. This implies that different students understand and learn course content in different ways. Some people are able to understand things more easily as compared to others. Some people may understand things after constant repetition. This means that the aptitudes of the target audience need consideration when designing the course. This is very important in order to ensure that the learners gain from the course. This is especially true in this course where the subject may be technical and somewhat difficult.
Learner’s attitude:
The third factor to consider when designing the course is the attitudes of the learners. A learner’s attitude plays an important role in ensuring that the learner understands the course content. There will likely be learners with a positive attitude and others with a negative attitude towards the subject. As employees who have already worked in the company, the learners have a positive attitude towards the course as it enhances their knowledge and skills in the workplace. Therefore, the course design will cater for employees with positive attitudes towards learning. After all, the course is not compulsory and no learner takes it forcefully. When designing the course for learners with a positive attitude, the main aim will be to impart as much knowledge as efficiently as possible.
Learner’s motivation:
Finally, the motivation of the learners will also affect the design and development of course content. Motivation plays a critical role in ensuring that learners understand the content presented within their learning environment. Different learners will have different motivations for pursuing the course. Some employees will pursue the course in order to improve their skills at work while others will pursue the course to position themselves for promotions. As long as learners are highly motivated, the instructor can design the course content with an aim to accommodate the learners. Additionally, when students are highly motivated, the main aim will be to ensure that the learners gain knowledge from the course. The course will therefore be designed to take adequate time to allow for understanding, testing, and evaluation of the learners.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the most important factor to consider when designing this course is the previous knowledge of the learners on the subject since it will inform different aspects of the course’s design. For example, once the instructor has determined the learner’s prior knowledge he or she can plan effectively where the course will begin, as well as, the mode of instruction used to deliver course content to students. Generally, it is easier to teach people who have had previous experience in the subject.
However, it might also be difficult to teach experts in the subject as they might assume that they know everything taught by the instructor. Dealing with learners with zero experience will require the course to begin from the basics. This is imperative, as it will provide the learners with the best basis for the material taught in class.
There are a number of ways to get information from the learners. For example, an aptitude test can be conducted on potential learners. This will provide information about their aptitude and therefore insight on how to design the course for their maximum benefit. The instructor can also administer surveys on the learners in an effort to collect information on the learner’s prior knowledge on the topic.
In this case, the employees are expected to have completed a DC/AC electricity course. This closely links to the course and a test on this subject can provide information on the level of previous knowledge that the potential learners have. When administered before the course, the test can provide information about the level of knowledge of employees on the subject, which helps in ensuring that the course designed meets the learner’s needs.
References:
Andrianes, P. (2012) Educational Psychology: 20 Things Educators Need To Know About How Students Learn Retrieved 2/9/2016 from http://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/educational-psychology-20-things-educators-need-to-know-about-how-students-learn/
Aridah, D. (2015) Attitudes and Motivation: How Do They Contribute to the Success of Language Learning? Retrieved 2/9/2016 from
Jim, G. (2012) Importance of Prior Knowledge to Learning. Retrieved 2/9/2016 from https://news.illinoisstate.edu/2012/01/importance-of-prior-knowledge-to-learning/
