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Topic: Task AnalysisSeptember 17, 2014

Definition of Task Analysis

It is the process of breaking down a skill or activity into a set of discrete steps that you can then teach to an individual one-by-one (forward or backward chaining). You can then assess an individual’s performance on each step of the task, either as done or not done (check list) or by the type of prompting or cueing required (rating scale).

Chaining:

“teaching students to perform a sequence of functionally related responses in an approximate or exact order to complete a routine or task.”

(Snell & Brown, 2000, p. 163)

Applying Task Analysis

1. Conduct a pre-test. 2. Determine general

instructional procedures. 3. Develop data collection forms.

From: The Syracuse Community-Referenced Curriculum Guide, Ford, et al., 1989

Step 1: Pre-test

•Establish baseline performance. •Determine which skills to target for instruction.

•Identify necessary adaptations. •Identify types of needed instructional prompts.

Example of Pre-Test

1. Observe several students going through the lunch line to identify necessary behaviors and skills.

2. Observe your target student going through lunch line.

3. Note discrepancies between your student’s performance and the behaviors/skills of “doing lunch line.”

Skill Area: Lunch line

Step 2: General instructional procedures

a) Structural information: (location, students, time, materials) and

b) Procedures: (prep, review, intro, participation, closure).

Step 3: Data Collection Forms

a) Identify specific performance targets,

b) Determine appropriate instructional prompts.

What is an “instructional

prompt”?

Targets Planned Prompts

Prompt used?

1. Look toward carts

gesture

2. Scan shelves for items

Model

3. Locate & reach for item

full physical

4. Locate open register

verbal

Student: Activity:Date: Observer:

M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP

M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP

M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP

M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP M V G

PP FP

Skill Inventory +/-

What did student do? Decision

1. Enter store + Entered w/ VP Fade VP

2. Locate/get cart. - Passed carts Teach to look

3. Take out shopping materials (picture cards).

+ With VP Fade VP

4. Search for/get items. - Searched only at eye level Teach scanning

5. Prepare to check out + Went to closed register Teach visual cues

6. Pay cashier. + Used money envelope

7. Exit store. - W/ VP Fade VP

Student: Activity:Date: Observer:

Cueing,Prompting, &Fading

Quick Partner Brainstorm:

1. Identify all of the natural cues that you can think of that you use in your activities of daily living.

2. What sort of “fail safes” do you rely on to remind you when you’ve forgotten something.

Cueingvs.Prompting

Cues:Natural and/or routine clues that guide behavior.

• Environmental• Physical• Social

Prompts:Reminders when an individual has not taken advantage of natural cues.

• Physical• Gestural• Verbal• Modeling

Fading:A gradual reduction in reinforcement or prompting.

• Indirect vs. Direct Verbal Cues• Increase Time Between Prompts• Decrease Physical Proximity

Examples:

How does criterion-referenced assessment fit

into making decisions about fading prompts?

How do the results of task analysis

inform our instruction?

Important Points:1. Be aware of and capitalize on

natural cues. 2. Implement cueing, prompting, and

fading systems strategically and consistently.

3. Plan how to fade a system of prompting, understanding that some individuals will always need some amount of planned prompting.

Quick Write:

How often do you use task analysis in your teaching/intervention practice? To what extent to you think you could either improve or expand your use of task analysis? How so?

Field trip!In small groups (4 or less) choose a functional task that you can observe a group member performing here on campus (e.g. washing hands, buying coffee, checking out a book). Then, as a group, watch your victim perform the activity and write down all of the steps for the skill inventory. Return by 6:00 sharp!

Whole Group Discussion

• What supplementary support and/or aids would someone with a physical or sensory disability need to accomplish your task?

• What might be appropriate types of prompts that you could integrate into teaching this skill/activity?

• In what ways could new technologies make data collection easier?

Please take a minute for the minute paper.

And don’t forget to turn your phone back on.