Unexpected interruptions introduced during the execution phase of simple Tower of London problems incurred a time cost when the interrupted goal was retrieved, and this cost was exacerbated the longer the goal was suspended. Furthermore, time taken to retrieve goals was greater following a more complex interruption, indicating the processing…

The computer numerical control (CNC) flatbed router is a powerful tool and a must-have piece of equipment for any technology education program in which students will produce a product--whether it involves Manufacturing, Materials Processing, or any of the vast array of Project Lead the Way courses. This article describes an activity--producing a…

Creating activities that model engineering design as it appears in industry provides great experience for technology students. Design in general creates an element with special regard to its form and function. Engineering design involves doing that, and going beyond to produce an efficient product that addresses its intended purpose. In this…

This paper describes an approach to task evaluation that emerged out of the process of the negotiated development of a course between two co-teachers. The course was co-taught by one ELT specialist and a specialist in a subject area. The teachers were equal partners in this self-contained course. While teaching a new class, the teaching partners…

The complexity of the optimization algorithm for staff utilization in any medium to large organization can cause major problems in meeting schedules while still keeping all of the work force in full employment, working at a level appropriate to their experience, and also giving staff an opportunity to develop new skills and experiences that will…

Applying and adapting a variety of appropriate heuristic strategies is one of the accepted standards of problem solving (NCTM, 2000). Thinking through a solution to a non-routine mathematical task, experts in problem solving call into play many sophisticated strategies (almost) without conscious efforts, while novices need to be taught how to do…

An analysis of the rationale, concepts and procedures for designing and implementing a model of decision-making for teachers engaged in developmental research is presented. The decision-making model is conceptualized as the intersection of four sets of data sources derived from the performance of preactive/planning tasks,…

A systems approach was used to assess, remediate, and/or develop compensatory strategies in learning disabled college students. The approach consisted of four components: an analysis of the educational task, preparation of criterion measures, preparation of behavioral objectives, and preparation of instructional sequences. A task analysis was…

The systematic development of horticulture curriculum for Indiana was the focus of this research project which validated a job task list for use in instructional material development. The job title catalog, A Landscape Gardener, was selected from those currently available through the Vocational-Technical Consortium of States (V-TECS) program. A…

This paper reports a project where school guidance staff themselves develop and use instrumentation in order to measure derived behavioral objectives. The task analysis is to provide objective data on the actual use of counselor's time; allow comparison between counselors; provide objective data upon which can be based improvement and change…

This report contains an outline of the method and the rationale for a project whose purpose is to develop training programs which are relevant to the specific requirements of technical occupations in nine allied health professions. The nine professions are in (a) nursing, (b) inhalation therapy, (c) radiology (technician level), (d) clinical…

Reviews literature on in-basket exercises, their use in assessment, and advantages in predicting managerial success. An account of the development of an in-basket exercise to assess job candidates covers design team establishment, exercise selection, task determination and material collection, scoring key development, and pilot study and field…

Discusses three phases of instructional design (ID)--definition of instructional parameters, analysis and synthesis of instructional alternatives, and implementation of instructional plan--and presents a 15-step ID model. Included for each step are a descriptive name, boxed example, and rationale and (as applicable) current state of technology for…

This paper summarizes the thinking of 84 middle school mathematics students' about variability in three stochastics tasks that involve repeated trial. Differences in students' acknowledgment of variability were found, depending on whether the task was from a sampling environment, or a probability environment. Students tended to neglect variability…

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)