LEARNER ANALYSIS

Another strand of research with regard to hypermedia and adaptation is related to the concern for making hypermedia environments accessible for user groups with special needs (e.g., blind people or people with reading and/or writing disabilities). Web-based multimedia and hypermedia environments allow the combination of different representational codes and the addressing of different sensory modalities, which might be especially beneficial for users with special needs. Initiatives that try to pave the way onto the web for users with learning disabilities can be distinguished into two main approaches. The first tries to avoid inappropriate representational formats (e.g., written text as the only information source) by designing special websites dedicated to the specific needs of people with learning disabilities. The second aims at using remedial actions to make existing website contents accessible for users with learning disabilities. Exemplary solutions are automatic displaying of contents with symbols or using text to speech software. For instance, in our own research group we investigated which representational formats are beneficial to foster recognition and understanding for users with learning disabilities. Manipulating the modality and cordiality of the information presentation yielded that learners benefit most from auditory-presented information (as compared to written text) accompanied by symbols (as compared to text only). This is in line with our assumption that only few learners with learning disabilities are able to process written language alone in a sufficiently meaningful way (Zentel, Opfermann, & Krewinkel, 2007).
Given all the gathered information regarding the intended audience and considering of the challenges/difficulties that I can foresee in the design and development of this learning object is this. As a Skills for Learning and Living (SLL) Teacher I learned that I must keep in mind of the different learning levels that SLL students are. The design and development will have to be able to accommodate the three levels of students.

1. Prerequisite skills

Learners have been using school issued laptops since middle school.

2. Prior knowledge of the topic

Students are very familiar with using their laptop more due to COVID-19

3. Attitudes toward the content and the delivery system

Technology is what they have grown accustomed to. Most students already have a cellphone. More have iPads or electronic devices that they use for learning. The learners have basic academic skills, but their technical skills are at a higher level. Their attitude towards using technology is outstanding.

4. Learner motivation

Student’s learning motivation is extrinsic they understand by completing this task they are going to receive a reward. The learners are very motivated to work. I have promise them that if they put in the work that I will give extra time outside at the school track for our Personal Health period of the day. From discussions with the learners, it is evident that they are extrinsically motivated to start and complete the training. There are no intrinsic rewards, such as performing a task because it's personally rewarding to them, but this does not seem to impede the learners’ desire to learn. They are eager to master the skills and improve their memorization skills. As a result, although the training will include learning activities to help the learners see the relevance of the training topic to their work, there will not be a need to integrate activities to increase their intrinsic motivation.

5. Learners’ educational background and ability

The learners are made up of 12th grade Life Skills students ranging from high functioning students that require little to no help to learners that need some assistance. A Teacher Assistant will be in attendance to assist those that require some assistance.

6. Learners’ preferences and learning styles

The learners are students with an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder. The higher functional students have no issues with working independently. The other students will do well independently after assistance from Teacher Assistant and several trails to retain information needed to perform steps.