In education, learner diversity has a significant influence on the selection of teaching strategies. Clearly understanding your learners’ needs is the first step to ensuring you develop instruction that will effectively meet those needs. Learners’ needs are determined by multiple variables ranging from cognitive abilities to cultural and socioeconomic factors.

General Requirements:

Use the following information to ensure successful completion of the assignment:

• A minimum of three peer-reviewed references published within the last 5 years is required.
• Doctoral learners are required to use the current APA style for their essay writing assignments. The current APA Style Guide is located in the Student Success Center.
• This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric before beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
• You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Directions:

For this assignment you will conduct an actual needs assessment on a group of learners in relation to a learning goal you would like for them to achieve. Ideally, these are learners you have access to in your practicum setting.

First, determine a learning goal for your group of learners. This can range from a specific nursing skill to broader theoretical knowledge.

Next, research needs assessment tools and use or develop one tool appropriate for the learners in your practicum setting. There are a variety of needs assessment tools from which to choose, and an appropriate one should provide a way to measure the current knowledge base of the learners. The tool should also help you identify learner characteristics, such as learning preferences and needs and access to technology and resources.

You will administer the tool, collect your feedback, analyze the results, and report your findings. Include the following in a report of 1,000-1,250 words:

1. Identify the needs assessment tool and explain how it is appropriate for the learner in your setting.
2. Summarize the general, shared characteristics of your learner.
3. Discuss the specific characteristics that distinguish your learners from one another.
4. Discuss how your learners’ similarities and differences would impact your approach to facilitating learning for this diverse group.
5. Discuss potential methods for evaluating whether or not your approach is working for each of your learners.