week four activity sheet learner characterisitcs

Session 4 Activity Sheet: Learner Characteristics

Compile information about the learners who are likely to be in your audience. If you are not sure, then take into account the subject matter and organizational context.

Learner Characteristics	Implications for Curriculum
General e.g. Gender	This course is not gender specific. This course will be attended by adults. However, ages can range widely. Educators should have post secondary education...presume that education level is high. Learning styles may vary. Consider inventory at beginning of course. Develop curriculum and instructional design to meet the various needs of diverse learning styles.
Diversity e.g. Culture	This course may have diverse cultural needs. Cultures may include geographic culture as well as workplace cultures. English presumed. However, there may be learners with some language barriers.  Learners will have diverse backgrounds and personal issues. Diverse needs regarding EI (Goleman, 1998) including handling relationships (especially important in group work) and ability to self-motivate. Learners will have diverse personal styles which may get in the way of developing to the "norming" stage (Bens, 2005) Create norms with learners to avoid conflict.
Human Rights e.g. Religion The course could be attended by learners with diverse religious cultures. Accommodating for these could include considerations such as extensions or modifications of deadlines (ie: religious holiday falls on due date) Learners could also require accommodations for disabilities.