“For higher-order learning, a careful context analysis is critical for aiding the designer in recreating authentic elements of the performance context during instruction and enabling the learner to build optimal conceptual frameworks for learning and remembering.” (Dick, Carey, & Carey, 2014, p. 99)
Context matters. There are two specific contexts that affect your instructional design decisions. First is the performance environment. This is where the skill or knowledge will be used in the ‘real-world’. The second is the training environment. This is where the instructional will take place.
Some reasons why it may not be possible to have performance environment and training environment the same:
One of the most effective ways to gather performance environment information is to observe employees in their work. There you can see for yourself what tools are available to employees as well as the physical and social aspects of their workplaces.
The learning environment is the location where the learning will take place. Using our swimming example from the last chapter, the learning environment is a swimming pool. But, what characteristics does that pool have? If your organization had multiple pools, what are the differences such that you have the information you need to choose the right one.
At this point in time, you do not want to choose your learning environment, rather you want to describe what the options are. That way, when you go to make a decision about learning environment you know your options.
Your learning environment should include:
- Who will be delivering instruction?
- Where can the instruction take place?
- Where are the learners & instructors located?
- What tools are available for teaching / learning?
- What costs are associated with the learning environment options?
- Are there any other constraints will impact your design?