Learner Characteristics Checklist

An important product of the analysis phase is a clear description of the characteristics of the
learners. In other words, you want to define your target audience accurately and in sufficient
detail to make sound design decisions. The checklist presented below includes four major
categories of learner characteristics: 1) cognitive, 2) personality, 3) social, and 4) physical.
Obviously, any given instructional event cannot be adaptable for every kind of individual
difference, but instruction can be designed to accommodate the user characteristics that are
most critical in one or more specific contexts.
Instructions:
1. The Learner Characteristics Checklist tool on the next page will help you decide upon
which learner characteristics should be described for your project.
2. Review each of the characteristics and decide whether a characteristic should be addressed
in your project. You do not have to include all of those listed. Please delete those you do not
feel are necessary or important in identifying your learners.
3. Once you have identified the important characteristics, write one or two paragraphs on
each of them to describe your target audience. You should include at least a few from each of
the four groups listed on the next page.
4. Next, you will have to decide whether you have sufficient information about the
characteristics in your target group. If more information is needed, decide how you will find or
collect the information and include that in your discussion as well.

See the Learner Characteristics Check-list on the next page

IDT201 Theory of Instructional Design

Learner Analysis Learner Characteristics Checklist
2013 Dr. Linda Kaiser, Post University, Waterbury, CT

LEARNER CHARACTERISTICS CHECKLIST

This lesson will be developed to help college level students pick out a new laptop for school.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to identify a computer for purchase, identify the
specifics you would like your computer to have, and will be able to communicate with a store
assistant to explain what it is you are looking for.

1. Cognitive Characteristics:
functional literacy (e.g., reading level)
visual literacy (e.g., ability to perceive graphics)
Being a computer user, functional and visual literacy are required to operate the device.
Although it is not needed to be a star reader, having a high reading level is good to be able to
fully enjoy your device. Being able to see the screen in front of you is a must. Though there are
special systems out there that enable the visually impaired to use a computer.
computer literacy
Although computer literacy can be learned at a later time, knowing the basics of how a
computer is operated is preferable. It is not required as at the time of starting you computer
for the first time it will run you through a short tutorial to learn the basics of the operations.
prerequisite content knowledge
As a college student in this day in age, its assumed that you would know a little bit about
what your looking for in a computer. So when you go to purchase your device your going to
want to know what it is your computer will be used for, music, document, photos and videos,
wither you will have large files on it, or your just looking for something small to use for tedious
work or gaming. All of this is important in picking out your computer.
2. Personality Characteristics:
interests
As previously mentioned what your going to be using your computer for plays a major role
in the process of purchasing a computer. What it will be used for strictly dictates what kind of
computer you will get with the correct specs to go with it. So your interests, hobbies, and
intent are all very important to the process.
attitudes toward content
There will be a lot of content on any computer device. Some you may like, some you may
dislike. You will always have new content constantly being added to the device, and you wont
like all of it. So having an attitude that can tolerate both the good and the bad is good to have.
attitudes toward learning
With the addition of constant stream of new content, your going to want a good attitude
towards learning. For you will constantly be learning and relearning how to use and operate

IDT201 Theory of Instructional Design

Learner Analysis Learner Characteristics Checklist
2013 Dr. Linda Kaiser, Post University, Waterbury, CT

the newest content, and old content as it is updated. Not having a good attitude towards
learning will hinder your experience with owning and operating a computer.
attitudes toward technology
A computer in it of itself is technology. If you don't have a good view of them then you
probably should not be getting one.
3. Social Characteristics:
attitudes toward collaboration
In order to find the perfect computer you are looking for that meets all of your expectations,
you are more than likely going to have to ask a store worker for assistance. So having a good
attitude towards cooperation with others will make your time finding the perfect computer for
you so much easier. Not being able to express what it is you want out of a computer or what
specs you are looking for in a computer to the store assistant wont make your time buying any
easier, and odds are you'll end up buying something that you didnt want.
socioeconomic status
A computer like a phone is a plethora for social and economic sources. Once you but your
computer, you can use to device to purchase more items of any kind. And much like phones in
today's day in age, it is used for social networking. It is optional in its entirety if you use such
social networks or use your device to make purchases, but it is convenient and fast to do. So
wither or not your socioeconomic status is a good one, it shouldn't reflect your decision to
purchase a laptop.
career
Your career, or intended career will influence what kind of computer you get because what
one career needs out of a computer another will not. Say your going into a career field of
photography or graphic design, you're going to want a computer with high RAM (random access
memory) for the programs and files you'll be running are huge so I higher RAM will be
necessary to run it. Or if your going into a field of programming or gaming, your going to want
a computer with a strong processor, with gaming and programming you have a lot of
information passing through you processor at once so your going to want a computer that can
handle the information overload. So needless to say this is something that is strongly
recommended to take into consideration when purchasing a computer.
educational level
Being a college student there are different kinds of computers meant for different levels of
education. Such as you can buy computers preloaded with software. The reason for taking this
into consideration is, not every grade uses the same software, what college uses will be more
up to date or not required, where as say high school would settle for an earlier version of a
piece of software or require something college does not. So this really turns into making sure
your money isnt wasted on something you don't need or making sure your money is well spent
on something you will be making good use of.
4. Physical Characteristics:
visual abilities
IDT201 Theory of Instructional Design
Learner Analysis Learner Characteristics Checklist
2013 Dr. Linda Kaiser, Post University, Waterbury, CT

In order to view the contents of computer you need to be able to see. There's really no way
around it. Although there are ways to use a computer without being able to see, being able to
see what you are doing is optimal.
auditory abilities
There are a lot of sounds buzzing and auditory that goes into computers. Wither its
watching a video, watching a movie, listening to music, or playing games, there is a lot of audio.
If you happen to be purchasing a computer for its music capabilities you might want to look into
a computer with good speakers and possibly a bass booster to go with it.
tactile abilities
Being able to touch your computer is how you operate it. If there is no mouse there is
usually a trace pad on the computer that can be used to navigate your cursor. Being able to
feel your key board and recognize where your hand placement on the key board is, is
everything for typing. Once you've mastered this you can type entire paragraphs in a short
minute without even having to look at the key board once. If not you are probably going to be
chicken pecking (using both index fingers to type) and your going to be constantly looking
between the monitor and the key board and is just not optimal at all for it takes three times as
long.
general health
Operating a computer can potentially pose a health risk depending on the operator. For
example if you are photosensitive, have epilepsy, or are prone to seizures from flashing lights,
you are going to want to be careful while operating a computer. A computer is full of lights
moving graphics and quick changing images, so if you have a condition that causes seizures you
should consult your doctor and ask if it is safe for you to be operating a computer.

IDT201 Theory of Instructional Design

Learner Analysis Learner Characteristics Checklist
2013 Dr. Linda Kaiser, Post University, Waterbury, CT

Objectives and Tasks Worksheet

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
In this lesson, students will learn how to purchase a new computer device for themselves.
What students will be able to learn from this lesson is how to find a computer device to
purchase, find specs you want your computer to have, and how to communicate with a store
assistant. Students will want to take this class because most people buy a computer based on
prices, not on what their needs are.
By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to find a laptop make and model that they
would like to purchase.
A (Audience) The audience is the students learners.
B (Behavior) Identifying the make and model of a new computer for purchase
C (Condition) By the end of the lesson
D (Degree) specific detail
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to tell the specific details of what you would
like your laptop/desktop to contain.
A (Audience) The audience is the students learners.
B (Behavior) Identify what specs your computer will contain
C (Condition) By the end of the lesson
D (Degree) specific detail
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to communicate with a store assistant and
explain what it is you are looking for.
A (Audience) The audience is the students learners.
B (Behavior) Communicate with a store assistant what your specific needs are
C (Condition) By the end of the lesson
D (Degree) Effectively
IDT201 Theory of Instructional Design
Learner Analysis Learner Characteristics Checklist
2013 Dr. Linda Kaiser, Post University, Waterbury, CT

TASK ANALYSIS
Project Title/Topic: Purchasing a new laptop/desktop

Objective
By the end of the lesson
students will be able to to
find a laptop/desktop for
purchase

Tasks/Skills/Steps
Turn on computer
Open web browser
Go to computer sails site
Search for a model of computer you
would like to purchase
By the end of the lesson Find hardware that suites your needs
students will be able to
Determine how much computer and
figure out what specific
hardware will cost
details your want your
Find software that suites your needs
laptop/desktop to contain Determine cost of software
By the end of the lesson Write down what it is you want for your
the student will be able
computer
to communicate with a
Practice communicating what you want
store assistant to find
for your computer with one another
what your looking for

Tools (if needed)

Computer access if
researching at home -orlibrary computer access if
one is not available
internet access
Computer access if
researching at home -orlibrary computer if one is
not available
Transportation to a local
retail store

IDT201 Theory of Instructional Design

Learner Analysis Learner Characteristics Checklist
2013 Dr. Linda Kaiser, Post University, Waterbury, CT

CONTENT ANALYSIS
Project Title/Topic: Purchasing new laptop/desktop

Objective
By the end of the lesson
students will be able to to
find a laptop/desktop for
purchase
By the end of the lesson
students will be able to
figure out what specific
details your want your
laptop/desktop to contain
By the end of the lesson
students will be able to
figure out what specific
details your want your
laptop/desktop to contain

Task
Simple knowledge of internet
navigation

Need to Know (N)

or
Nice to Know (n)
Need to know

Simple knowledge navigation

Need to know

Communicating with other people

Nice to know

IDT201 Theory of Instructional Design

Learner Analysis Learner Characteristics Checklist
2013 Dr. Linda Kaiser, Post University, Waterbury, CT

IDT201 Theory of Instructional Design

Learner Analysis Learner Characteristics Checklist
2013 Dr. Linda Kaiser, Post University, Waterbury, CT

Learning Assessment
Learning Objective
By the end of this class students
will be able to Find a new
laptop/desktop for purchase

Activity/Assessment
Assessment turn on a computer device and open internet
explorer
Assessment - Go to a computer sales site (i.e. best buy,
Walmart etc.)
Assessment Search for a model of computer that you
would like to purchase

By the end of this class students

will be able to Find specifics for
a computer that will meet your
needs

Assessment once the model of computer is selected, find

said model with the hardware that will meet your needs

Assessment determine how much selected computer and

hardware will cost
Assessment find software that would meet your needs
Assessment determine the cost of selected software
By the end of this class students
will be able to Communicate
with a store clerk and tell them
what they are looking for

Assessment write down what it is you want for your

computer

Activity practice communicating what your want for your

computer with one another

IDT201 Theory of Instructional Design

Learner Analysis Learner Characteristics Checklist
2013 Dr. Linda Kaiser, Post University, Waterbury, CT

GRADING RUBRIC FOR ACTIVITY

Activity

Good

Moderate

Communication
practice

No errors in the
communication,
student speaks clearly
and understandably

Some errors in
communication,
student speaks clearly
and understandably

Bad
Several errors in
communication,
student cannot be
understood

IDT201 Theory of Instructional Design

Learner Analysis Learner Characteristics Checklist
2013 Dr. Linda Kaiser, Post University, Waterbury, CT