Purpose+and+Audience+Analysis

Below is the purpose and audience analysis for our e-book for the National Certification Exam Review.


 * Purpose and Audience Analysis**

How proficient are your intended users with technology in general and the Internet in particular?

The targeted users should be decently proficient with technology as they will be seniors in an undergraduate program that uses technology frequently with instruction as well as assessment. Each student is proficient in using the Internet particularly since they are asked in multiple classes to search the web for information and content.

What is their knowledge of the content of your website?

Targeted primary users (seniors) will be using the content as a study guide, while secondary users (underclassmen) will be using the content to make connections among various subject areas. The primary users (senior students) will be familiar with the content of the study guide website as all the information contained within is presented in at least one of the classes they are required to take during their undergraduate coursework; these users will be using the website primarily as a study guide. The secondary users (underclassmen) will be somewhat familiar with the content within the website and will be using the content as reference material and to make connections among various subject areas and classes that they have or are taking. They will also use the website as prep material for classes that they will be taking in the future. What is their age, sex, educational background?

Users of this website will vary in age normally from 18-22. Both males and females will find the site useful as it is not targeted to one over the other. All users will have at least a high school degree and will be engaged in various stages of a college level athletic training based education.

Why are they using your website? Who asked them to browse that content?

Users will find the content of this website useful when relating material encompassed in the overall athletic training education curriculum. Students will be asked to utilize the website by instructors who seek to implement critical thinking and practical application into coursework as well as to help students prepare for the national certification examination.

Where are they browsing your content? Are they at home, at work or in a computer lab?

Ideally this content will be accessible anywhere the internet is available. Some formal instruction may utilize the website for visualization in the classroom, but the intent is for student engagement outside the classroom. Ideally students will be using the information provided on the website while in a quiet or group study environment.

Do you expect to have more than audience?

Our audience will likely begin with current students seeking certification as athletic trainers within our education program here at Oklahoma State University. As the site is revamped per suggestions and evaluation, we will begin to reach to the underclassmen/instructors and eventually target the athletic training student population as a whole.

What are their learning needs?

Initially, the learning needs will be very basic and minimal as the site will be used to “review” material previously presented in classrooms. As we begin to reach a larger audience, relationships will need to be shown to connect subject matter. For the user to be able to learn how to navigate around the website in particular, they will need basic instructions on the use of internet and websites as well as a tutorial in the navigation abilities of this website in particular.

Which of their needs do you address via your website?

Review of content areas will be the dominant need addressed. All content areas pertinent to the Board of Certification National Exam will be addressed including the six domains of athletic training education. The website is intended for a general overview of the content as a refresher and not an in depth guide to the material which they are given during their class work.

What do they expect to learn or hear from you?

The users should expect to learn how to study for the national certification exam and should also expect an overview of general content areas. By using the website, they should be able to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses within their knowledge and then alter their exam preparation accordingly. They will be able to then judge which areas they need to focus more heavily on and again, use the website to study these materials. There will also be sample test questions on the content areas that will allow the students to test the knowledge that they have gained and retained over the past four years. Through the use of this website, the goal is for students to feel more confident and self-assured as they head into their certification exam, decreasing anxiety and thereby increasing scores and the overall pass rate amongst out students.