Describes two exploratory studies of undergraduate and postgraduate students concerning the difficulties of learning to perform HTA (hierarchical task analysis) and how those difficulties might be overcome through proper training. Errors occurred with respect to all HTA criteria, suggesting that carrying out HTR itself is a complex cognitive task.…

Discusses the method used for rewriting a piece of technical text to improve readability, compares several readability measures of the revised text, and notes difficulties encountered in the study. (CHC)

Describes task-based learning (TBL), a study module for fourth-year medical students (n=85), and experiences with implementing it at the University of Tampere in Finland. Indicates that this method works and that it leads to learning. Students evaluate their skills connected with a general practitioner's work in health center hospitals as better…

Describes two grammaticality judgment tasks--one in French and one in English--developed based on differences between the two languages vis-a-vis middle constructions. The tasks were administered to Anglopone and Francophone advanced and very advanced learners of their second language, and to unilingual groups with the same first languages.…

This paper investigates mathematical skills in Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), a pathological condition because of congenital alterations of chromosome pair 15. The following questions were addressed: (1) Are mathematical skills in PWS relatively more impaired with respect to other cognitive functions (as has been repeatedly but anecdotally…

Describes a framework for examining the effects of the cognitive complexity of tasks on language production and learner perceptions of task difficulty, and for motivating sequencing decisions in task-based syllabuses. Results of a study of the relationship between task complexity, difficulty and production show that increasing the cognitive…

The task classification scheme suggests that motor skills be categorized as the processing demands placed on a learner, feedback availability, and pacing conditions. Potential learning strategies were identified and defined in relation to the classification scheme. (JN)

Described is the "Taxonomy of Community Living Skills," a guide for curriculum developers. Experts (n=59) in mental retardation were surveyed to assess the taxonomy's coherence, appropriateness, completeness, etc. Responses to the model's five domains (personal maintenance and development, homemaking and community life, vocational,…

Detailed information is provided about the Air Force Instructional System Development (ISD) Model to supplement the 1979 AECT presentation made in New Orleans. Information of interest to instructional systems designers includes (1) a short overview of the Air Force ISD model, (2) an extended example which demonstrates the Air Training Command…

A study was conducted to develop a performance-based instructional program in electronic data processing (DP) and to identify the DP tasks within various occupational titles. In order to meet these objectives, task lists from various sources were sorted and merged into a final detailed list of tasks and subtasks, under the guidance of an advisory…

The primary purposes of this project were to develop catalogs of performance objectives and performance guides based upon validated tasks performed by incumbent workers and to disseminate and diffuse catalogs through inservice activities. The five catalogs developed were based upon tasks performed in the occupations of banking clerk, diesel…

In 1972, the welding department personnel at Blackhawk Technical Institute in Wisconsin undertook the project of updating the curriculum of their one-year welding degree program. A study was conducted of local welding industries to determine hiring policies, the tools and equipment a beginning welder should purchase, the types of welding processes…

To develop a competency-based curriculum guide for merchandising/marketing for the University of Hawaii Community College System, a project (1) reviewed and developed a list of all occupations in the general merchandising/marketing program area, (2) developed task inventories for selected occupations, (3) drew a worker mobility chart to show the…

The purpose of this study was to identify the reading-related teaching competencies that will be of potential use to vocational teachers if they are to develop the reading skills necessary for classroom instruction and job success. Questionnaires were sent to 591 teachers in all areas of vocational education. Questionnaire items were rated…