Needs Assessment

1. Explain what Needs Assessment Model you used and why.

The Kaufman model encompasses the characteristics required of this needs assessment. This assessment is in direct correlation to the needs of the community (society), how the library operates as a unit (organizational), and how my specific group interacts and adapts to these needs (individual).

2. List the performance goals in a situation you have identified.

-To have each student adequately trained in all duties, including extensive knowledge of the Library of Congress call numbers
-To assist patrons in locating materials, troubleshooting computer problems, and providing
printer assistance
-Perform reference searches using the integrated library system
-How to occupy time during slow hours

3. Validate the intruction need using data.

No quantitative data is available. Qualitative data stems from my personal observation and feedback from colleagues and patrons. Five out of nine of my current student assistants have been employed for two months. Their skills are not comparable to each other although they each spend ten hours a week at work.

4. Point out where there are needs for instruction and non-instructional interventions.

Although I personally provided training for each of my students, due to scheduling conflicts, I do not work with all the students an equal amount of time each week. Therefore, for times when I am not available, I have to depend on my returning student employees to provide assistance and ongoing training.

5. Describe the learning environment.

The learning environment is the Belk Library and Information Commons at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, specifically, the third floor stacks workroom in the library.

6. What are the characteristics of the teachers/trainers who will be using your instructional unit/materials?

Two stacks supervisors will be implementing the unit: myself and the stacks supervisor of the 2nd floor. Although both employed and having identical jobs at the same institution, our supervisory styles are quite different. I tend to be more lenient with a flexible schedule and hands-on supervisory style, whereas, the other supervisor is very strict and inflexible.

7. Are there existing curricula into which their piece of instruction must fit?

No current curricula must be included.

8. What hardware is commonly available in the potential learning environment?

One Dell computer workstations per floor is available. One computer program is available on the second floor workstation. Each workstation is loaded with similar software otherwise, including telnet and Millenium, the two programs used library-wide. In addition, 36 public computers are available as well as one public printer.

9. What are the characteristics of the classes and facilities that will use the new instruction?

The users will be Appalachian State University-affiliated patrons including faculty, staff, students, community residents and teachers, and visitors. These patrons will benefit from the standard instruction the learners receive.

10. What are the characteristcs of the environment in which the new instruction will take place?

The learning environment is the Belk Library and Information Commons at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, specifically, the third floor of the library. The third floor houses over 60% of main stacks material, including materials in call number ranges K-Z and oversized books A-Z. In addition, the library computer systems (SAAT), Academic Computing Services (ACS- faculty and staff computer training offices and classrooms), and the Digital Media Lab are also available on the third floor.

11. What is the philosophy and what are the taboos of the larger community in which the organization or school system exists?

Although the library has a general student guidelines policy for all students working in the Access Department (circulation/periodicals desk, stacks students), students not working at a desk are held to a stricter, non-written policy. Desk students can socialize, work on homework, and play computer games whereas stacks students are expected to work non-stop. Needless to say, morale has to be constantly monitored. The library director is concerned about image, and this concern filters down to me via my supervisor.

12. Describe the learners.

The characteristics of the learners are both undergraduate and graduate level college students ranging in age from 17-28.

Other characteristics:
9 total students
4 male and 5 female
Caucasian, African-american, Iranian
Work-study and temporary students, ACT students

Expectations and Ideas

My expectations of the Instructional Design course are work-related. With completion of the course, I hope to be able to have the basic background to formulate a positive method of instruction so that the recipients will benefit to the fullest extent of my ability. I hope to learn designs that are compatable to a variety of learning environments, and to distinguish between methods in order to instruct in the most beneficial manner for a particular enviornment.

For my final project, I plan to formulate a solution for a reference instruction class at the Belk Library at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.