Learner and Context Analysis
Names of members
- Amy Papst
- Michael Hawkes
- Kathryn Thompson
- Charity Jackson
- Jennifer Whitt
General Description of Target Audience
Corporate employees ranging from early career to retirement age, from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Employees are required to take this course as part of corporate compliance policies.
Description of Learner Characteristics
| Information Categories | Data Sources | Learner Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Entry skills | Interviews and observations: Current employees from multiple departments and their supervisors | Learners are corporate employees with an understanding of corporate compliance policies. They the ability to access the company’s compliance information online or in print. |
| 2. Prior knowledge of topic area | Interviews and Observations: Current employees from multiple departments and their supervisors. Pre-Survey sent to test sample of employees. | Learners will have general knowledge of COVID-19 that they have learned on their own via news and social media sites. The learner will have been exposed to state and local guidelines for mask wearing. |
| 3. Attitudes toward content | Interviews and Observations: Current employees from multiple departments and their supervisors. Survey sent to test sample of employees. | Learners will likely have differing opinions regarding mask wearing and COVID-19 in general. All can agree that it is important to follow corporate compliance policies. |
| 4. Attitudes toward potential delivery system | Interviews with training &/or HR department managers, Pre-course survey | Learners have experience learning through live classroom-based instruction with lecture being the primary method of instruction, web or computer-based instruction, and live group problem-solving simulations. They like the incorporation of web-based instruction but have some learners that struggle with it. Overall, the employees enjoy hands on activities, group discussions, and minimal lecture. Though there is a small group of employees that prefer lecture-based delivery. |
| 5. Motivation for instruction (ARCS) | Interviews with department managers, Pre-course survey | ARCS: Attention: The instructor will begin with the most interesting information about how COVID-19 is transmitted especially focusing on the air-borne transmission and the effects on the human body of a COVID-19 transmission. Relevance: The relevance of this instruction will be to help the learner understand how a mask can help drastically reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace and acknowledge how their role in mask wearing in the workplace can keep themselves and others safe. ConfidenceOther:: The instruction will need to focus on what the scientific data and study says about COVID-19 disease transmission in a variety of environments (i.e. an indoor workplace is very different context for COVID-19 transmission than going for a walk in the park) and on what benefits wearing a mask may have in different environments. As there is a lot of misinformation or misunderstanding of all kinds regarding this subject, the course needs to stay focused on scientific facts that are known and not veer off into speculation. Satisfaction: The learner will be fully informed with an understanding of how COVID-19 can be transmitted, the potential effects on the human body from COVID-19, the benefits of wearing a mask in certain environments, and how complying with corporation policies on mask wearing in the workplace will protect themselves and others. |
| 6. Educational and ability levels | Data from human resources department, Pre-course survey | Learners come from a wide variety of educational backgrounds. The level of education ranges from those without a high school education to some who have doctorate degrees. Majority of employees have completed high school and have some level of college education. Though all employees can speak some English, there are some employees whose English skills are very limited. This course will need to ensure that there is a translator for these employees during the trainings and for any help wiOther:th the instructional materials. Additionally, this curriculum will need to be able to accommodate those learners with any additional needs or learning support. |
| 7. General Learning Preferences | Pre-course survey, data from human resources | Learners will span a wide range of ages from entry level to retirement age. The course will use a variety of learning methods (whole group discussion, traditional classroom instruction, small group discussion, hands-on-activity, checks for understanding, web-based instruction) in order to attempt to engage as many learning styles as possible. The course will use modalities that have been used successfully in the past with participants and may offer learners a choice between modalities in order to better accommodate their learning styles. |
| 8. Attitudes towards training organization | Pre-course survey | Participant attitudes towards the training organization are generally neutral to positive; however, participant attitudes about the training content vary widely. There is a sizable minority of learners who do not see the need for instruction or who are resistant to the policy and ultimate instructional goal of an attitudinal shift regarding mask wearing. Finally, there is a management opinion that required training is just a box to check and is not taken seriously. |
| 9. General Group Characteristics: a. Heterogeneity b. Size c. Overall Impressions |
Pre-course survey, data from human resources | Heterogeneity: Learners are heterogeneous in that they come from a variety of different backgrounds and life experiences. They are also heterogeneous in terms of age and level of work experience. The pre-course survey reveals that they are also very heterogeneous in opinion when it comes to mask wearing. Size: After consulting with the management team it was discussed that the need for an interactive experience would require small groups of 15-30. Overall Impressions: Instruction will need to be multifaceted in order to address not only the generational and personal difference in learning styles but also the difference in opinion about mask wearing. |
General Description of Learning Context
Training will be conducted in a socially-distanced classroom at the company’s headquarters. The classroom will have a computer and AV equipment capable of showing the instructor’s presentation, as well as desks that are six or more feet apart. All employees have been issued two company-branded face masks.
Description of Learning Context
| Information Categories | Data Sources | Learning Site Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Number/ nature of site |
Interviews with managers and instructors | Number: One classroom
Facilities: The instruction will be conducted in a socially-distanced classroom in the company’s headquarters Equipment: For the learners there will be desks that are six or more feet apart, and for the instructor there will be a podium with a computer, a microphone, and controls for the AV system. The room will have a projector, projection screen, and speakers. Resources: All employees should have company-branded masks, but extras will be made available for those who haven’t received their yet. Printed handouts on company policy, COVID-19 symptoms, and how and when to get tested will be available. Constraints: The classroom has been set aside for the purposes of this training. Learners need to maintain social distance when breaking into groups. Other: Not applicable |
| 2. Site compatibility with Instructional needs | Interviews with managers and instructors | Instructional strategies: A variety of instructional strategies will be utilized, including lecture, small group and class discussion, and print and non-print materials.
Delivery approaches: Support is available for creation of print and non-print materials. Technical support is available for any problems with the computer and AV system. Time: Training will be conducted as a 90-minute class. Personnel: Training will be delivered by personnel from the HR: health and safety department, and materials will be developed in conjunction with the training department. Other: Not applicable |
| 3. Site compatibility with learner needs | Interviews with managers and instructors | Location (distance): The headquarters facility is the company’s primary facility and the one where most of its employees work.
Conveniences: The facility has restrooms, break rooms, and there are restaurants nearby. Space: The classroom is normally used by the company for conducting training. Normal capacity is 60 people, but socially-distanced capacity is 28 people. Equipment: Learners will be required to bring their company-issued face masks, plus any supplies such as notepads, pens, pencils, etc. Other: Not applicable |
| 4. Feasibility for simulating workplace | Interviews with managers and instructors | Supervisory characteristics: Supervisory characteristics will not be simulated as the training is mandated by the company for all employees, but is carried out by HR: health and safety personnel.
Physical characteristics: Learners will be expected to wear their company-issued face masks and will also be expected to socially-distance in the classroom. Most employees work in offices or cubicles, but often interact in common areas, including the classroom. Social characteristics: Learners will interact with each other and with the instructor during discussions in class. Other: Not applicable |
General Description of Performance Context
After receiving instruction, the learner will make the decision to wear their mask. This decision will help to lower risk for the organization’s employees. The learner will also understand which mask should be worn, and how to wear it properly. Following training the organization’s leadership team will be empowered to support employees and set a positive example by wearing their masks, enforce company policy, and addressing non-compliant employees.
Description of Performance Context
| Information Categories | Data Sources | Learning Site Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Managerial/ Supervisory support | Interviews & first-person observation: Current persons holding position, supervisors, administrators. Organization Records: Prior employee communication regarding mask usage, COVID outbreaks, surveys, formal & informal reports of non-compliance. |
Supervisors and employees that are knowledgeable about mask value in prevention of spread of COVID-19, their responsibilities, and risks. The manager is available for the employees when questions or compliance is questioned. The facility is prepared to provide additional information, masks, and information in the event that it is needed.
Management has clear consequences for non-compliance, and encourages compliance by providing a regular cadence of positive reinforcement (mask of the day, mask wearer champion etc.) Following training a summary report with details attendee completion data will be provided. |
| 2. Physical aspects of site | Interviews: Current persons holding position, supervisors, administrators. Observations: Observe one to three sites considered typical |
Facilities: COVID safety plan that meets OSHA Standards and CDC guidelines. The safety plan is clearly documented, communicated and posted as visual reminder.
Resources: Site has accessible stock of additional medical grade masks and available information for employees regarding usage. Equipment: Sterile masks available for employees who forget or cannot provide their own. |
| 3. Social aspects of site | Interviews: Current persons holding position, supervisors, administrators Observations: Observe employees and their mask usage or non-compliance at sites selected. |
Supervision: Managers are expected to lead by example.
Interaction: Group setting or 1-on-1. Appropriate communication regarding mask usage including reminders, posted warnings and clearly identified direction. Others using skills effectively: Appropriate, sensitive, and tactful communication skills providing redirection for non-compliance. |
| 4. Relevance of skills to workplace | Interviews: Current persons holding position, supervisors, administrators. Industry Regulations: CDC guidance, OSHA regulations, and other applicable regulatory guidelines & laws. Observations: Observe typical person performing skills at sites selected. |
Meet identified needs: Ensuring the facilities and response plans are compliant to nationwide standards and local guidance to ensure facility can remain safe for employees and open.
Current applications: The learner will be fully informed with an understanding of how COVID-19 can be transmitted, the potential effects on the human body from COVID-19, the benefits of wearing a mask in certain environments. Future applications: Complying with corporation policies on mask wearing in the workplace will protect themselves and others. Applying these lessons outside of the workplace will add additional positive outcomes of the instruction. |