Building the Blueprint: A Deep Dive into the Analysis Phase of the ADDIE Model
- Maria SR
- Jun 16, 2024
- 3 min read
Welcome back into the world of instructional design! Today, we're digging into the world of the ADDIE process, with an emphasis on the essential first phase: ANALYSIS. Consider it the cornerstone for your entire training program (Gardner, 2011). Just as you wouldn't begin building a house without a plan, you wouldn't develop training without a thorough grasp of your objectives and learners.
During the Analysis phase, we put on our detective hats and gather intel on several key areas (Washburn, 2024). Let's look at some of the key areas using a relatable scenario (because many of us have been to a school!).
Defining Instructional Goals – Setting Your Sights on Success
Imagine you're tasked with creating a training program for the front office staff at a busy school building. But before you start scripting role-playing scenarios, you need to get crystal clear on the instructional goal. What specific skills or knowledge do you want them to gain? Is it handling student inquiries effectively, navigating new software for faster registration processes, or mastering a specific communication style for dealing with different stakeholders (parents, teachers, administrators)?
A clear goal, like "train front office staff to provide efficient and friendly service to all visitors while maintaining a secure school environment," keeps you focused and prevents you from creating a hodgepodge of training content that might not address their core needs (Trust & Pektas, 2018).
Tasks Analysis – Breaking Down the Steps to Success
Now that you know the overall goal, it's time to map out the specific steps your front office staff needs to take. This is where task analysis comes in. Sure, providing efficient and friendly service might seem straightforward – answer questions, process paperwork, direct visitors – but there's more to the story! Does your staff understand the different protocols for handling student information confidentiality? Do they have the technology skills to navigate the new student registration system quickly? Are there good ways for them to talk to each other that will help them stay calm and professional, even when things are getting tough? These small things can have a big effect on how people feel about the school as a whole.
A well-defined instructional analysis creates a roadmap, outlining the key steps (and sometimes even sub-steps) needed to achieve the overall goal (Land, 2024; Washburn, 2024). Think of it as a detailed training plan ensuring your front office team is equipped to handle any situation with efficiency and professionalism!
Learner Analysis – Knowing Your Audience is Half the Battle
Another piece of the analysis puzzle is the learner analysis (Land, 2024). This is all about understanding what your learners already know and can do. In our front office training example, you might conduct interviews or surveys to assess their current communication skills, experience using the student information system, and knowledge of school policies and procedures.
Knowing your audience's starting point allows you to tailor the training appropriately. Imagine training a team with years of experience but lacking knowledge of new registration software – you wouldn't spend a lot of time on basic communication skills, right?
By uncovering these details, you avoid wasting valuable training time on things your team already knows and can focus on areas that need improvement. This ensures the training is relevant and addresses their specific challenges, ultimately leading to a smoother and more efficient operation in the front office.
Sharpening the Focus: Context Analysis
After understanding the goal, tasks, and learners, the spotlight is on the context itself. This analysis isn't about the specific content of the course, but rather the setting where the learning will take place. This is particularly important if you're designing a course for an organization or location that where you do not work at (Land, 2024).
The learning context plays a crucial role in shaping the learning experience. Understanding this context is vital for crafting a course that seamlessly integrates into your learners' daily lives. The analysis looks into the resources available to them, such as technology access, existing policies and protocols, and any logistical challenges they might face.
Organizational Context: gathering intel on the big picture – the infrastructure, resources, and even limitations
Learning Environment: Is learning primarily happening in an office setting, on-the-go, or a blend of both? Understanding the physical workspace or mobile environment is crucial for tailoring the course delivery format. For example, a course for a team of front office staff at a school building might benefit from bite-sized modules accessible through the district’s LMS.
Available Resources: Does the organization have access to specific software, technologies, or learning management systems (LMS) that might influence the course design? In a front office setting, for instance, limited access to computers might necessitate a mobile-friendly course design.
Existing Policies and Protocols: Are there any company policies or training protocols that the eLearning course needs to align with? This could include data security protocols or specific communication guidelines for interacting with clients.
Implementation Context: zooming in on the specific environment where learners will actually interact with the course
Delivery Methods: Will the course be delivered online, through a mobile app, or a combination of methods? The front office environment might necessitate a blended approach, with online modules for core knowledge and a mobile app for quick reference guides or scenarios.
Learner Support: What kind of support systems are available to learners who might encounter challenges during the course? This could include access to a designated expert, online forums, or downloadable resources.
Time Constraints: Do learners have dedicated training time, or will they be completing the course in short bursts throughout the workday? For busy front-office staff, shorter, more manageable modules might be more effective than lengthy video lectures.
The Takeaway: Why Analysis Matters
You are building a strong base for your training program by spending time on the Analysis part. This behind-the-scenes detective work ensures our training program hits the bullseye. By analyzing goals, tasks, learners, and context, we build a course that's:
Focused: No time wasted, just the knowledge and skills needed for success.
Relevant: Training that addresses the specific needs of the learners.
Practical: Content and delivery tailored to the learning environment.
Effective: Equipping learners to excel.
You can now make a training program that is not only useful, but also interesting and tailored to the needs of your audience. Next up: the Design phase! We'll take this foundation and craft an engaging learning experience. Stay tuned!
References
Gardner, J.C. (2011, August 10). The ADDIE Analysis Phase [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZdv5lrJs4U
Land, S. (2024). Instructional design for dummies. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Peck, D. (2021, August 17). 5 Types of Analysis for Instructional Design [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qwVTiEbL3I&t=413s
Trust, T., & Pektas, E. (2018). Using the ADDIE Model and Universal Design for Learning Principles to Develop an Open Online Course for Teacher Professional Development. Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 34(4), 219–233. https://doi-org.proxy.tamuc.edu/10.1080/21532974.2018.1494521
Washburn, B. (2024). Instructional design on a shoestring. Association for Talent Development.
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