Module 3: Overview

Designing the Learning Experiences

The analysis phase is an essential part of instructional design. After all, without conducting a needs analysis, you have no way of knowing the reason for creating the course. Needs analysis discovers the target audience for the course as well as the true purpose for creating it. Based on data collected during this phase, you will be able to determine the approach you need to take in designing the course. You will also be able to decide on media and delivery method based on the findings. Moreover, the analysis phase will help you figure out what content should be included in the lesson, whether the training is for beginners or more advanced learners, or whether it is just refreshment or a job aid. In addition to answering all these questions, the analysis phase helps to find out if the training is really a viable solution. Oftentimes, instructional designers conduct a thorough needs analysis just to realize that there is a performance issue, which cannot be solved by a training course. Alternatively, some instructional designers do not conduct needs analysis at all. This approach can be detrimental to designing an effective solution to a problem. In real life, clients underestimate the value of needs analysis; therefore, they do not dedicate the budget for this phase.

Arshavskiy, Marina (2014-01-21). Instructional Design for ELearning: Essential guide to creating successful eLearning courses (Kindle Locations 708-714).  . Kindle Edition.