The starting point of the learning journey begins with the accurate assessment of one's audience. Without fully being aware of the learning patterns and cultural nuances of one's students, delivery of effective instructional materials would quickly degenerate into actions of mere guessing. One should not merely wish for curriculum effectiveness and thrash about blindly with instructional pedagogies as one would in search of a piata. But rather one should systematically plan for instructional effectiveness through analysis. Effective learner analysis takes into consideration the total circumstance of one's students. Economic stratification, race and culture are key elements to consider when designing an effective curriculum. The economic background of the learner is an important characteristic to consider, because the economic circumstance of a person determines the type of access one would have to certain technologies. The student may have little to no access to many of the learning tools which are required in the curriculum. One should ensure that the tools needed to successfully learn are well within the grasp of all. Instructional designers and trainers should resist the urge to utilize technology simply for technology's sake, if it does not enhance the quality of instruction being developed and delivered (Meyen, Tangen, Lian 1999, pg 25). The utilization of the latest instructional methods may be counterproductive to one's goals. |
