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Task Analysis (Cont'd)
.This information is far more specific than the basis task analysis and
reprasazts a later step instructional development.
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The first step in a task analysis is to derive a list of all possible
tasks. In this process we are concerned with:
A. BASIC PREMISE-that you have learned as much as possible about the subject
matter area. This enables you to evaluate the answers you receive . It also permits
you to logically refine statements that are not tasks and, -given an element
of a task, relate it to the actual task.
B. CONTLNT--tka job of stlolunteer can be delineated in terms of three areas:
cross-cu2.t ral, technical and language. A job-description should include these
three and a comrplete task analysis will include cross-cultural, technical and
and language tasks. (It should be noted that these 2ra seldom performed separately
or in isolation from tasks in the other areas. They merely reprenent a convenient
way of describing tasks that are logically related.) Vithin each of
these three areas there are tasks which are cognitive, tasks which are affective,
and tasks -which are psychomotor. Briefly these can be defined as follows:
1. Conitive--this type of activity is intellectual and includes
skill like me-ry, analysis, problem solving, etc.
Examples of technical tasks which are primarily cognitive would.
include:
a) Writing a proposal for an ecology project;
b) Designing an agricultural vocaticnal education course;
c) Setting up a schedule of recreational activities;
d) Ci.-piling a swine or poultry ration fro m locally available materials.
2. Affective--*ffective activity is concerned with things like values
attL,jdes and beliefs. For the Volunteer, some affective tanks will
be dealing constructively with his own attitudes and values. He may
also be concerned with promoting changes of attitudes in people with
whom he works. For example, promoting an attitude on the part of a
client or conterpart which will ensure that he uses a skill that the
Voluntecr has trained him to perform.
3. Psycho-wntor--psychomotor activity involves these of the sketal,
muscular and voluntary nervous systems. They ars physical activities
like swimming, running, using a tool, drivL±ag a diunp truck etc.
In summary, when constructing a task analysis for a Volunteer job, you
should be certain that all technical tasks arc included. Within each of these
areas you should entiure that you have included -ill tasks 'hich are cognitive,
all tasks which are affective, and all tasks wh'.ch are psychomctor. Most important,
each of them should be Yritten in a way that will clearly indicate
the level in the domain that is required. This is essential if training objectives
are to be written at the level of Volunteer performance.