The needs assessment is an important preliminary step in instructional design. It helps the designer and the client to see clearly whether training is needed. This is also an ethical point as it should prevent the Instructional Design professional from moving forward on a project that will not meet the needs of the client.
In this case I was pursuing a potential project at Gavilan College, suggested by a friend there. Most crucial in developing a needs assessment is input from the client organization. I was relying solely on the advice from my contact at Gavilan rather than making solid contact with those at the college who would be most effected and would stand to benefit. As a result, the clarity needed was not present and the project did not take root as intended.
In this case I was pursuing a potential project at Gavilan College, suggested by a friend there. Most crucial in developing a needs assessment is input from the client organization. I was relying solely on the advice from my contact at Gavilan rather than making solid contact with those at the college who would be most effected and would stand to benefit. As a result, the clarity needed was not present and the project did not take root as intended.
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