AEE 528 - Instructional Design and Course Development in Agricultural Education


Instructor's response to Week 2/Exercise 1

We would focus my needs assessment on comparative, felt, expressed needs, and anticipated needs.

Questions for Felt needs
1. What would you like to learn about gardening?
2. What types of gardens (e.g., vegetable, flowers, etc.) would you like to plant?

Questions for Comparative needs
1. What courses are offered on home gardening?
2. What courses are offered on public/private gardens?

Questions for Expressed needs
1. What are the most common questions gardeners ask?
2. What types of supplies do gardeners purchase?
3. What types of services are requested most often?

Questions for Anticipated needs
1. Are there any anticipated changes in public or private gardens?
2. Are there any awards planned for home landscaping?

Collecting data for Felt needs
1. Surveys to current students in the community college.
2. A web survey on the collegeís website with an accompanying story in the local newspaper.

Collecting data for Comparative needs
1. Review of similar programs at other community colleges and extension services.

Collecting data for Expressed needs
1. Interview managers and sales personnel at local garden shops

Collecting data for Anticipated needs
1. Phone interviews with local government officials.

How does your needs assessment plan differ from ours? Was it narrower or broader in focus? What are the advantages in either narrower or broader focus? Did you identify different audiences for the data gathering? What are the advantages to the groups you have identified?


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