Learner Analysis

In order for our team to identify key characteristics of our learners and target audience, we applied the approach of Smaldino, Lowther, and Russell (2012). Our research focused on understanding our learners' general characteristics, specific entry competencies, and learning styles.

General Characteristcs

target Audience

We surveyed middle and high school students and teachers in New York City's Department of Education. Our goal was to understand the skills students already had confidence in, and what they valued in their relationships with peers, teachers, and care givers.

NYC DOE Student Demographics

In 2022-23, there were 1,047,895 students in the NYC school system, the largest school district in the United States. Of those students:

14.1% of students were English Language Learners
20.9% were students with disabilities
72.8% were economically disadvantaged
140,918 were in charter schools

Race or ethnicity:

- 41.1 percent Hispanic
- 23.7 percent Black
- 16.5 percent Asian
- 14.7 percent White

Entry Competencies and Learning Styles: Student Survey Data Analysis

How Students Communicate

The majority of students mainly communicate in-person or through Social Media. This emphasizes the importance for students to understand face-to-face communication, as well as the digital landscape.

"Social media makes them think their relationships are supposed to look one way, so they're basing all of their knowledge on what they think they should be receiving in a platonic or romantic relationship based off of what they're saying on social media, which is not real." - Graduate Support

How Students Approach Conflict

When students experience conflict with their peers, most were able to resolve the situation with a face-to-face conversation, preventing the conflict from escalating any further. Peer mediation is a crucial skill that students are already exercising with some degree of success. We found the biggest issues arise when the conflict happens online or there is no in-person mediation.

See full Affinity Map in Project Methodology

"Even if they're hesitant at first, they're like, oh we're talking about those conversations... and they definitely become more interactive. I think that they do want to talk about them." - Graduate Support

Insight: Social media and online communication impact students' thoughts and decisions which may be inhibiting students' grounded reflection in safe spaces.

References

Brown & Green (2015) The Essentials of Instructional Design: Examining the Situation, Chapter 5 (pg 72-86)

DOE Data at a Glance. (2023). NYC Public Schools. https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/reports/doe-data-at-a-glance

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