Context Analysis

An instructional design component in which three types of context (i.e., facilitating, constraining, and missing environmental factors) are [Page 109]analyzed for the benefit of instruction and learning. The three context types are: (1) orienting context, (2) instructional context, and (3) transfer context. As part of the analysis of what learners bring to the learning environment, their goals, perceived utility of the instruction, and perceptions of accountability constitute the orienting context. Instructional context includes those factors related to the physical environment, such as equipment, seating, noise, transportation, lighting, temperature, and accommodation, as well as the scheduling of the course. To connect learning with the real world, opportunities need to be created for the transfer of learning. So the analysis should include the analysis of diverse situations for application, practice opportunities, and support from the transfer context. To conduct a context analysis, surveys, observations, and interviews can be used for collecting data.