Task+Analysis

=Task Analysis =

Overview
The task analysis is an important stage in the development of learning materials. Task analysis includes the processes of evaluating existing content, engaging the SME to provide task-level information, and combine this information into a coherent model, allowing the instructional designer to easily evaluate gaps in existing content. The task analysis is also helpful to think through the specific training needs and learning behaviors, stimulating more targeted learning development. (Brown and Green 106-107)

Task Analysis
My task analysis will analyze the process of creating an interactive PowerPoint presentation through a Web 2.0 tool called [|280 Slides]. The task analysis will evaluate the process of creating 3 slides, using two different slide layouts, images, and video. Then, the presentation will be exported to complete the task analysis.
 * 1) Type http://280slides.com into the web browser toolbar and press ENTER
 * 2) Click on the blue "Try it now, free" button on the home page
 * 3) After the editor has loaded, click "create a new presentation" on the pop-up dialog box
 * 4) Choose a theme of your choice from the options provided, and click on the OK button to continue
 * 5) Double click on the "Double-click to add title" area, and type in the title of your choice
 * 6) Double click on the "Double-click to add subtitle" area, and type in the subtitle of your choice
 * 7) Click on the "new" button on the top left of the toolbar to add a new slide to the presentation
 * 8) Double click on the "Double-click to add title" area to add a title of your choice
 * 9) Click the "pictures" button to add a photograph to the slide
 * 10) In the search field of the search dialog, enter the name of your favorite animal and press ENTER
 * 11) Double click on the picture of your choice, and the picture will be placed on the slide frame
 * 12) Click the "X" close button on the search dialog to return to the slide
 * 13) Position the photo on the frame, and scale using the corner handles until you are satisfied
 * 14) Click the new button on the top left of the toolbar
 * 15) Double click on the "Double-click to add title" area to add a title of your choice
 * 16) Click the "movies" button to add a movie to the slide
 * 17) In the search field of the search dialog, enter the name of your favorite animal and press ENTER
 * 18) Double click on the movie of your choice, and the movie will be placed on the slide frame
 * 19) Click the "X" close button on the search dialog to return to the slide
 * 20) Position the movie on the frame, and scale using the corner handles until you are satisfied
 * 21) Click the arrow on the "download" button on the top right of the tool bar, and select PowerPoint 97-2004 (.ppt)
 * 22) The file will download to your hard drive for future editing

Evaluation
The process of breaking each task into its respective parts allows the instructional designer to consider the nuances of each task process, and evaluate additional "understood" steps that may not generally be considered. In the case that a task cannot be completed successfully, the interview method in the critical incident method provides some helpful questions to evaluate potential issues in the task sequence: > (Brown and Green 109)
 * 1) What were the conditions?
 * 2) What did you do?
 * 3) How did this incident help you reach or prevent you from reaching your goal?

A modified task analysis process may be utilized based on a number of factors, including environmental variables, audience makeup, goal of instruction, and other educational variations. Because of the general substance of the task analysis, no one task is definitively more important than another, since each step is necessary to complete the entire task successfully. However, certain "pivotal" tasks may result in the inability to continue in the defined task sequence, while other steps may be skipped without an immediate, apparent problem.

Reference
Brown, A. & Green, T.D. (2006). The Essentials of Instructional Design: Connecting Fundamental Principles with Process and Practice. Upper Saddle River: NJ: Pearson.