DETT 607 Instructional Design and Course Development in Distance Education and E-learning

Assignment 1: Context Analysis

Describing a context and identifying the learning need
(15% of final grade)

See Course Schedule for Due Date

ASSIGNMENT
Goal

Describe the organizational context for which you will be developing your online distancelearning course. This could be the organization in which you are currently working, one that you
may have worked for, or a fictitious organization. Whether or not your organizational context is real,
your scenario is fictitious.
Identify the performance problem that is facing the organization, for which a learning solution has
been identified as the best option.

The intention of the assignment is to demonstrate your ability to assess the learning challenges faced by a
target learning audience and take a systems approach to describe and justify the solution you're proposing.
You will need to provide enough support to back up your choice of approach.
Skills development
Competence in the conduct of context and needs analysis;
Competence in the alignment of identified problem with appropriate solution
Consider yourself to be a consultant hired to assess your selected organization's current needs and
propose a learning solution to an identified problem. This activity requires you to describe in some detail the
target learning audience and organization setting that will serve as the context for your online distancelearning course development project. Your description should be in the form of a scenario which has led the
organization to conclude that a learning solution is their most appropriate course of action, and you are the
person (as an internal or an external consultant) who is going to carry out this task for them.

If your scenario concerns an organization that has a staff training or professional development
problem, your context will include a description of the specific area that is experiencing the
learning solution.
If your scenario concerns an education institution that needs a new academic course, your
description will include a brief description of the institution and an explanation of why the new
course should be added to its academic programs to serve learner needs.

Be sure to describe the problem that faced the organization and why they considered a learning solution as
the best course of action. See Course Assignment Guidelines in the Assignments Details and Q&A
Content area for additional information about expectations for writing quality and assignment presentation.
You will find a suggested outline for this assignment in the Assignment 1 topic area. Also, refer to the
additional guidelines and rubric that are part of this assignment description (see next pages).
Format and length
Use your imagination and creativity to build your scenario, which may include text, diagrams,
graphics and illustrations.
Do not exceed 2,000 words (this excludes the references).
Submit your assignment as a Word document.
Name your file using the following format: LastnameFirstinitial_A1
Example : SmithL_A1
Where to submit: Submit your assignment in the Assignments area.

GRADING RUBRIC
GRADE SCALE
A (90%-100)
13.5 - 15 points
B (80-89%)
12 - <13.5 points
C (70-79%)
10.5- <12 points
F (< 70%)
Below 10.5 points
Addressed but does
not
completely fulfill
requirements
Note: no points will be awarded in a category if the category is not addressed at one of the levels
described below.
Description of
2.7 - 3 points
2.4 - 2.6 points
0 - 2.3 points
organizational Clearly identifies:
Clearly identifies:
Identifies most, but not
context
- type of organization (e.g.,
- type of organization (e.g.,
all, of the
government, military, service,
government, military, service, organizational
manufacturing, academic,
manufacturing, academic,
elements required to
etc.)
etc.)
meet requirements
- geographical context (e.g.,
- geographical context (e.g.,
OR
single location, regional,
single location, regional,
Lists all elements but
international, etc.)
international, etc.)
lacks sufficient clarity
- size
- size
to set the context for
- types of employees (or
- types of employees (or
the performance
students) with learning need
students) with learning need
problem
- specific area experiencing a
- specific area experiencing a
performance (or learning)
performance (or learning)
problem
problem
AND
Relates the problem to the
organizational mission (i.e.,
type of impact/s it causes)
Description of
2.7 - 3 points
2.4 - 2.6 points
0 - 2.3 points
performance
Clearly identifies:
Clearly identifies:
Addresses most, but
problem
- the type/s of performance
- the type/s of performance
not all, of the elements
(e.g., skill level, subject
(e.g., skill level, subject
required to meet
knowledge, application, etc.)
knowledge, application, etc.)
requirements
- the degree of
- the degree of
AND/OR
underperformance
underperformance
Does not present a
Analyzes:
Analyzes:
convincing analysis of
- possible causes of the
- possible causes of the
the problem, its
problem
problem
cause/s, and why a
- most likely cause/s
- most likely cause/s
distance learning
- why a distance learning
- why a distance learning
solution is the best
solution is the best option
solution is the best option
option
AND
Shows creativity and above
average insight in the problem
analysis
Description of
2.7 - 3 points
2.4 - 2.6 points
0 - 2.3 points
proposed
Clearly identifies:
Clearly identifies:
Addresses most, but
solution
- what the learning solution is
- what the learning solution is not all, of the elements
- how the solution may be
- how the solution may be
required to meet
Exceeds requirements

Meets
requirements

Justification
for proposed
solution

Writing and
presentation

implemented
- the expected results on
performance
AND
Shows creativity and above
average insight in the problem
solution

implemented
- the expected results on
performance

2.7 - 3 points
Presents reliable evidence to
support the proposed
solution, such as:
- learning theory
- principles of instructional
design
- published research (peerreviewed journals)
Presents a convincing
argument concerning how the
evidence supports the
solution
AND
Uses multiple sources of
evidence (e.g., learning
theory, principles of
instructional design, and/or
research)
2.7 - 3 points
Presents material in a logical
manner, including an
appropriate title, an
introduction, main body, and
conclusion
Writing has few, if any,
spelling, grammatical, or
punctuation problems
All sources are referenced
and presented in correct APA
format
Word limit is not exceeded
(within 5%)
AND
Shows creativity in
presentation by selecting
effective techniques for
efficiently communicating the
required information (e.g.,
may include appropriately
formatted text, graphics,
diagrams, tables, and/or
illustrations)

2.4 - 2.6 points

Presents reliable evidence to
support the proposed
solution, such as:
- learning theory
- principles of instructional
design
- published research (peerreviewed journals)
Presents a convincing
argument concerning how
the evidence supports the
solution

2.4 - 2.6 points

Presents material in a logical
manner, including an
appropriate title, an
introduction, main body, and
conclusion
Writing has few, if any,
spelling, grammatical, or
punctuation problems
All sources are referenced
and presented in correct APA
format
Word limit is not exceeded
(within 5%)

requirements
AND/OR
Does not present a
solution that is
practical for
implementation or
presents a solution
that is not likely to
have the level of
performance results
promised
0 - 2.3 points
Presents evidence, but
it is not sufficient to
support the proposed
solution
AND/OR
It is not sufficiently
clear how the evidence
is supposed to support
the proposed solution

0 - 2.3 points
Includes required
components, but
writing is lacking in
logical flow
AND/OR
Contains several
spelling, grammatical,
punctuation problems
AND/OR
Sources are not
properly referenced