Determinants of Learning
Assessment of the learner
Learner’s characteristics:
Learning needs
Learner’s perceptual abilities
Motivational abilities or readiness
Reading abilities
Developmental stage
learning style/s
Physical abilities
Accdg to Haggard: the educator’s role in the learning process is primarily to
assess the learner in relation to the 3 factors that affect learning/determinants
of learning
Learning needs (what the learner needs to learn
Readiness (when the learner is receptive to learning)
Learning styles (how the learner best learns.)
Learning needs
Are gaps in knowledge that exist between a desired level of performance and
the actual level of performance
Gap or difference between what someone knows and what someone needs to
know due to lack of knowledge, attitudes or skills.
Assessing Learning needs ( Bastable)
Identify the learner
Choose the right setting
Collect data on the learner
Include the learner as a source of information
Include members of the healthcare team
Determine availability of educational resources
7. Assess demands of the organization-examine the organizational climate
8. Consider time management issues
9. Prioritize needs
Criteria for Prioritizing Learning needs
Mandatory
Desirable
Possible
Methods of assessing learning needs
Informal conversation or interviews
Structured interviews
Written pretests
Observation of health behaviors over a period of different times
Advantages of assessing the learning needs
Allow the health educator to design her teaching plan according to what the
client already knows, what he/she still needs to know and to determine the
approach, strategy, methods and device to be used
Plan, introduce or even manipulate some factors In the learning environment
or the learner’s milieu
Readiness to learn
