Two interesting principles

Principle 1:
Audience analysis should also include the learner's technology skills and previous experiences with online courses. Do not assume that all students are at the same level of experience with technology; plan for the most naïve users.
It is easy to forget that not all learners have the same familiarity with computers, either because of their socioeconomic background, their family culture and/or their generation.
I think there have always been and will always be creative bare bones types of people who would rather draw, listen to music or read a hardbound book under a tree then sit in front of a TV, PC or mobile screen. If as distance educators/instructional designers we believe that technology offers an incredibly rich avenue for learning than we must continue on the crusade to include all levels of PC savvyness in the design of our courses. And by including some of the less technologically inclined, holding hands while they learn how to operate an on-line lesson, we will make the case with all people that are not as receptive to learning via technology.
I looked up the online assessment that FCCU has for student to self-evaluate their level of computer/technology readiness and thought it was a good start. But it can be enhanced with at least an image of what the questions are talking about, to facilitate understanding and engage the visual senses as well.

Principle 2:
Specific instructional activities should be directed toward providing learners with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience required to meet the goals and objectives of the course.

• A. Design and utilize learning activities that engage students in active learning.
• B. Provide meaningful and authentic learning experiences that help learners apply course concepts and achieve course objectives.
• C. Use strategies that consider the different learning styles of students.
• D. Remember that active participation facilitates learning better than passive participation.

I think learning can be fun and engaging! Encouraging learners to actively participate in lesson content and practice target behaviors is the best way to develop new knowledge, different attitudes and skills that some people don’t think they possess. Practice builds confidence. Doing engages the spirit and not just the mind. Most people have a predominant or preferred way of learning and this proclivity can be used to foster better understanding of complex subject matter. Yes, yes let’s focus on the individual learner’s aptitudes as a springboard for deeper knowledge and diversifying talents.