3.1: Profile client in terms of ICT competence and learning goals

Table of Contents

1. Establishing client competence in use of hardware and software
2. Using learning packages
   1. Establishing learning goals
   2. Determining learning goals
   3. Additional factors
3. The UK education and training system
4. Ascertaining special needs
5. Types of special needs
6. Sources of careers information

Establishing learning goals

You need to establish the learning goals for the client before you can think about possible learning approaches. The client may have learning goals related to their work or to their personal life. You should attempt to establish exactly what the client wishes to learn and if possible get an idea of the reasons why the client is undertaking the learning.

Some clients may come to the public library seeking learning packages which are complete in themselves. You may be able to provide such packages "off the shelf" in your library or you may have to source them from elsewhere.

Other clients may be seeking additional learning to support training or education being undertaken elsewhere. The most obvious example of the latter is school pupils or college/university students wishing assistance with assignments or desiring materials which will help them revise for examinations.

Clients engaged in more informal learning may also require top-up materials. For example, an adult working through a self-help book on word processing might ask for additional exercises in keyboarding.

Let's look at some of the areas we'll need to consider when Determining learning goals ...