Who Are Your Learners
Think about the course that you are developing. Now, picture for yourself a typical, or average, learner in this class. Try to visualize this learner now.
- What are your learners’ visible identities?
- How old are they?
- What are their motivations to take your course?
- What level of digital literacy do they have?
- What is their first language?
- What previous knowledge and experience do they have prior to starting your course?
These are just a few of the many questions that you can ask to start focusing in on the learners.
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By placing the learner in the centre of your course design, you achieve learner-centered design. Learner-centered course design means focusing on the needs, interests, and skills of the learners. According to the University of Calgary,
the heart of the learner-centered approach is to decide first what learners can and should learn from the course, then how to assess the learning outcomes and finally determine how to support learners in the learning process to achieve the course outcomes.
Using a learner-centered course design creates a positive learner learning experience by:
- encouraging learners to connect personally with their learning
- linking the learner’s own experiences and prior knowledge with new learning
- ensuring the learning experience is meaningful through purposeful selection of content, assignments and learning activities that allow learners to meet the learning course outcomes, and clear communication of these outcomes and how learners will get there
- supporting learners to be self-directed learners
- providing multiple opportunities for learners to connect, collaborate, and communicate with classmates and instructors
Consider This
Consider the following guiding questions when reflecting on a learner-centered course design. Ask these questions of your own course content now:
- What type of content do learners need from the instructor to progress?
- Which activities provide learners with opportunities to practice their learning?
- Which kinds of assessments will allow learners to demonstrate their learning?