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Analysing learner needs

Who are your learners?  Understanding your learners, their needs and the contexts in which they are working is the starting point for planning learning. 

Understanding of learner needs starts with a review and evaluation of previous programmes based on:

• learner feedback
• learner retention and achievement data
• the views of colleagues
• the views of employers
• learner progression data.

The challenges

• Learners’ personalised learning plans need to be based on an effective initial assessment programme that:
  1. assembles an overall picture of the learner, identifying the skills, attitudes and behaviours that they bring with them
  2. recognises, acknowledges and records prior learning and experience
  3. draws out what learners can do and does not just focus on what they can’t do
  4. adopts creative, exciting and thoughtful approaches and activities, individually and in groups, to explore personal and social skills, as well as vocationally relevant, practical  skills
  5. uses multi-modal, informal and formal assessment methods, including information technology, practical tasks and observation
  6. avoids ‘testing’.
• Personalised learning plans need to include the individual support learners may need to achieve their goals.
• Learners can learn in multiple environments, for example, at home, at work, in the classroom and in social situations.
• Learners need good information and advice to help them identify realisable career opportunities.
• Employers can contribute to identifying learning needs in the context of employment opportunities.

The resources in this area can help you to plan learning to support teacher education and professional development.

Resources for teacher educators

 - Getting the most out of these resources

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  Initial assessment - Info and Web 
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  Identification of learning needs - Info and Web 

Technical information

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