The Context Analysis

In addition to analyzing the learners, the context, both the performance and learning context should be analyzed. For, understanding the setting in which new skills, knowledge, or attitude will be used can inform the planning of instructional activities that will approximate what learners will face in the real world. Additionally, an understanding of the learning context helps us identify obstacles in the setting and best use the instructional environment.

"We encourage you to think beyond the accepted textbook and curriculum guide approach to public schooling. That approach has led to the criticism that much of public education emphasizes factual recall over conceptual understanding and textbook problems over authentic applications. Constructivist theorists have been justifiable sharp in their criticism of teaching/learning activities that are abstracted from, and thus not relevant to, actual physical, social, and problem contexts." - Dick, Carey, & Carey, p. 102

©2010 By Michael and Amanda Szapkiw.