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Needs Analysis

Attribution

Original work: "Educators' guide to multimodal learning and Generative AI" — Tünde Varga-Atkins, Samuel Saunders, et al. (2024/25) — CC BY-NC 4.0
Adapted for UK Nursing Education by: Lincoln Gombedza, RN (LD)
Last Updated: December 2025

Before implementing any AI tool, a thorough needs analysis ensures the technology solves a real problem rather than creating new ones.

1. Identify the Target Audience​

  • Who are the learners? (e.g., Year 1 undergraduates, postgraduate research students, post-registration nurses?)
  • Digital Literacy Level: Do they have the basic digital skills to use an AI interface effectively?
  • Access to Technology: Do all students have equal access to the necessary hardware and high-speed internet?

2. Identify the Educational Gap​

Avoid the "hammer looking for a nail" problem. Ask:

  • Is there a specific clincal scenario that is currently hard to simulate? (e.g., rare deteriorating patient cases).
  • Are students struggling with a particular concept? (e.g., complex pharmacological mechanisms).
  • Is staff time being consumed by routine tasks? (e.g., generating 50 slightly different case studies).

3. Map to Learning Outcomes (and NMC)​

Every AI activity must map back to the curriculum.

  • NMC Proficiency: Which specific Future Nurse standard (2018) does this support? (e.g., Communication, Coordination of care, etc.)
  • Evidence-Based Practice: Does the activity help students learn how to evaluate research or policy?

4. Resource Scan​

  • Staff Capacity: Do the educators have the time and training to facilitate this AI activity?
  • Institutional Support: Is the University's IT and Library team on board?
  • Cost: Is there budget for premium AI features if the free version is insufficient?

Questions for Your Team​

  • "What is one thing we currently do poorly that AI could do better?"
  • "What is the biggest risk of introducing AI to this specific cohort?"
  • "How will this change the way we assess student competence?"

Next: Once you've identified the need, move to Learning Design.