Learner’s needs will vary from educational and specific learning needs to personal and environmental needs.
How a learner’s needs are initially identified, will depend on the organisation your are working in. For example, some further education colleges may have someone, such as a curriculum manager or teacher, who through initial discussions, becomes aware or a need. These are often called Information, Advice & Guidance (IAG) sessions. The aim of this session is to inform the potential learner of what the course is about, what they need for the course e.g. prior qualifications and to give information about support that can be offered such as financial, childcare or help with a learning difficulty.
It may be that your learners are in a secure setting or you are training a new group of people and you don’t have access to the learners prior to the start of your course. In this situation, you may need to create an activity such as question and answer activity to get to know your learners in your first session with them. Additionally, someone may not know themselves they have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia or dyspraxia.
Identifying needs can happen at various points:
This is a session where a learner is invited to share their goals and needs and ask any questions about the course.
Through introductions or an ice breaker activity, the learner may disclose information.
Needs may be highlighted by you are the learner at any point during the course. E.g. issues with payment
Once needs are identified, you may need to either manage the need in the session or signpost to another professional (we review these options later in the course).
