Learner Analysis
COGNITIVE CHARACTERISTICS
A. General Characteristics
Programmers at AST are quick learners. They acquire most of the
new concepts in a timely manner. Most of them also learn the quickest
by actually seeing how it was done or by having someone demonstrate
it. A few learn the quickest just on their own.
All of the programmers are capable of speaking proper English
and can communicate well with other employers. The reading levels
of them are at college level. Most of them have a design background
and, therefore, are visually literate. The remaining are somewhat
visually literate, but do not have any background on it.
The programmers tend to process information by seeing how something
is done first, and then try to re-create it themselves. The majority
of them learn the best through hands-on experience, trial-and-error,
and tutorials. They are also generally good problem-solvers and
can solve a problem when a situation occurs. Many of them also
have knowledge in other settings as well, such as design, military
tactics, sales personnel, communication, and business strategies.
B. Specific prior knowledge
The programmers are very familiar with procedural programming.
They are also familiar with using other Macromedia software such
as Authorware and Dreamweaver. They are also familiar with the
basics of Flash MX. Some have created some activities and interactivity
using flash.
PHSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Although the programmers are not suffering from serious health
problems, they do have other health problems. Some of the health
problems include back aches, vision impairment, and overweight.
About 50% have back problems, another 50% are overweight, and
85% wear glasses or contact lens. The age range from 22 to 50
years old. About 50% of them are in their 20’s.
AFFECTIVE CHARACTERISTICS
The programmer’s have a variety of things that interests
them. Some of them include playing games, creating interactive
content, building dynamic internet applications, building games,
running, chatting, reading articles and news, working in teams,
and watching cartoons.
They are somewhat motivated in their job, but the majority of
them do not take the time outside of work to develop more skills
on programming. They also settle for average and do not push themselves
enough to develop a higher level of programming knowledge. Either
they are too busy with the family or are just too exhausted after
a day of work. The main motivation for them is the salary and
benefits they get. A few of the motivated programmers are active
participant with an online community of programmers in which they
share and obtain knowledge and expertise on different programming
languages. They love to build programs and games for fun and like
doing it outside of work as well.
About 30% of them hate the fact that they have to always learn
new software or programming language. The other 70% are motivated
to learn new skills, but are often too busy to learn outside of
work. Roughly all of the programmers enjoy using Flash MX. They
like the fact that you can actually see the object that you are
programming with and are quite easier then other software programs
they’ve been use to working with. A few were skeptical in
the beginning because of standards and conformance, but after
they’ve started using flash, they’ve enjoyed everything
about it. They are also willing to learn flash and the object-oriented
structures that surround it.
All of the programmers have at least an associate’s degree.
About 80% have a bachelor’s degree. They do feel somewhat
pressured to keep up with current programming skills at the same
level with other fellow programmers. If they don’t, then
they will be worried about their job security.
SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS
All of the programmers get along very well with each other. They
also have great support from the management team. They usually
come to work early and some leave after hours. Programmers generally
obey the rules and most of them are devoted to the company. Competition
between fellow programmers does not pose a big issue. If there
is competition, then it is done in a friendly and enjoyable manner.
The majority of programmers are social among other programmers
and well and the entire development team. A few of them are often
anti-social, selfish, and usually keeps things to themselves.
In rounding out the nationality, roughly 70% are Caucasian, 15%
are Asian-American, and 15% are African-American. Their religious
beliefs tend to lean toward Christianity.
DESIGN IMPLICATIONS
In prioritize these characteristics, the most important is their
cognitive characteristics. By finding out that they know how to
use the basics of Macromedia Flash MX and their experiences on
other Macromedia products will target the lesson plan more towards
the programmers. Also knowing how fast they learn and the different
methods they use to learn is very helpful as well.
