How do you tailor instructional design to specific contexts?

One experience I had during a routine orienation made me realize cookie cutter orientation is good for standardidation on the level of the whole company but not for the learner who is fresh out of high school. I have found us missing the mark for these younger team members that have been receiving help of any sort for their education. They do not come forward and tell us; Hey, I've been under and IEP in school. I have taken a team member aside to inquire how to help and they said to me "I didnt' say anything because I wanted to do it on my own..." . I applauded them for being strong minded, said that is the spirit we are looking for but we also work as a team here so lets do this together.

Tailoring instructional design to specific contexts involves understanding the unique characteristics, needs, and constraints of the learners, the learning environment, and the desired learning outcomes. Here are some steps to consider: Conduct a thorough needs analysis to understand the requirements, goals, and objectives of the specific context. Identify the target audience, their prior knowledge, learning styles, preferences, and any constraints or limitations that might impact the design. Gather information about the learners, including their demographic information, educational background, skill levels, and any specific challenges or barriers they might face. Consider their cultural and linguistic diversity as well.

Before you dumb down your business: First, hire people smart enough to learn your business. You will not be able to overcome hiring dolts.

As both an educator and agency Director having to onboard new employees, it is very important that any training encompasses a myriad of learning styles and is flexible enough to be able to change depending on the needs of the learners. What works for one person or age group may not for others. I also build in opportunities for feedback about how the training is being delivered throughout the process.

Choose strategies and techniques appropriate for the target audience and the learning context. Consider whether the instruction should be instructor-led, self-paced, collaborative, or experiential. Select relevant media, tools, and technologies that facilitate learning in the given context. Develop or select instructional materials, models, and case studies that are relevant and relatable to the learners' context. Incorporate real-life scenarios, culturally appropriate content, and examples that resonate with the target audience. Avoid using jargon or complex terminology that may be unfamiliar to the learners.

Accommodate the target audience's different learning styles and preferences. Provide a variety of instructional modalities, such as text, visuals, audio, video, interactive exercises, and hands-on activities. Allow for flexibility and personalization to engage learners effectively.