Analyzing learners and context: a few thoughts

The important question to ask is if there is a real need for instruction.

The best way to conduct a learner’s analysis is asking the learners, observing them, and taking notes.

See if you can simulate the context. In education, the learning context is usually in a classroom. We should be asking, what is the learners’ core motivation for being there, what are their prior experiences, the entry behavior?

As for learning styles, there is not enough research done on the subject, but no learning style precludes learning in a different style.

Your instruction is not for everybody. The more you can focus on your population, the better off you will be.