Learner, context & task analysis

important because

Identifies content to solve the problem

Gives detailed steps for conducting a task

Gives insights as to what teaching strategies to use

Gives hte designer a focus

Identifies the content not the sequence

Gives information that falls into various content structures

Facts

Names

Symbols

Vocabulary

Cocepts

Fruits

Islands

Verbs

Principles & rules

Relationship between 2 concepts

e.g. Supply & demand

Interpersonal skills

Behaviors related to interpersonal communication

e.g. interviewing skills

Procedure

Steps executed to complete a task

e.g. Steps for changing a light bulb

Attitude

i.e. Predisposition towards a behavior

3 Techniques to conduct task analysis

Topic analysis

Identifies the content of instruction

Identifies facts, concepts & principles needed for instruction

Procedural analysis

Behavioral

Observable steps required to complete a task

What does the learner do?

What does the learner need to know to do the step?

What cues inform the learner that there is a problem?

Cognitive

Unobservable tasks, information processing analysis

Critical incident method

It identifies commonalities of different approaches

e.g. Salesperson

Calm approach

High-pressure approach

It identifies what works and what does not work

e.g. Air force pilots

It identifies a list of tasks the learner needs to master

It is important because:

Learning doesn't take place in vacuum

Context can inhibit or facilitate learning

Three types of contexts

Orienting context

learner's goals for taking the training

Learner's perception of the usefulness of the training

Learner's perception of accountability, i.e. do they have to master the course?

Instructional physical context

Timing

Lighting

Seating

Equipment

Transportation

Transfer context

Creating environment that promotes application of new knowledge

Creating tools & resources to apply the new skills

General characteristics

Gender

Age

Experience

Learning styles

Visual

Physical

Kinesthetic

Academic information

Educaion

Courses taken

Scores

Personal & social characteristics

Motivation

Aptitude

Expectations

Talents

Learners with disabilities

Physical

Learning

Visual

Hearing

Speech

Sepcific entry characteristics

Reading skills

Computer skills

Adult learners

Highly motivated

Time is important

Independant

Less flexible