Instructional analysis

Abstract

In the design of industrial instruction, it is important to maximize learning and transfer to job performance, while minimizing learning time. Both task analysis and instructional analysis are essential processes for achieving these goals. Task analysis is a tool for understanding and specifying the desired final performance or job. The product of task analysis may be a task list, flowchart, and/or other documentation which describes competent performance. Instructional analysis, as distinct from task analysis, identifies the type(s) of learning involved in acquiring a new performance capability and the structure of that learning in terms of component skills and their relationships. The product of the instructional analysis process is a learning map.

This paper describes the rationale for distinguishing between task analysis and instructional analysis, the contributions that both processes make to the design of instruction, and why one is dependent upon the other. The major functions included in the instructional analysis process are described and illustrated with examples. The benefits of using this approach to achieve effective and efficient instruction are summarized.