Describes knowledge mapping, a tool developed to increase the objectivity and accuracy of task difficulty ratings for job design. Application in a semiconductor manufacturing environment is discussed, including identifying prerequisite knowledge for a given task; establishing training development priorities; defining knowledge levels; identifying…

Seven rigidity tests varying in difficulty were administered to 45 retarded subjects, with a mean age of 10, and 45 mental age-matched nonretarded subjects. Subjects did not differ on 3 easy tests, but retarded children were more rigid on 4 difficult tests. (Author/JDD)

To test predictions regarding the attentional capacity requirements of Piaget's stage of concrete operations, a battery of concrete operational tasks and two measures of attentional capacity were administered to 120 first-, second-, and third-graders. Findings concern class inclusion, transitivity of length and weight, and multiplication of…

The importance of defining variables to be put into correlation tables for factor-analytic research into intelligence is discussed. Research on job analysis, task decomposition, performance-related intelligence changes, and cross-cultural differences could be incorporated into definition of variables. (TJH)

The authors discuss 258 undergraduate business majors' perceptions of the nature and uses of financial and managerial accounting. Perceptions were measured with Stapel Scales constructed on 11 descriptive statements. Findings indicated that students distinguish between financial and managerial accounting, but that they do not view the two as…

Describes the use of a computerized spreadsheet technique to assist in the front-end analysis phase of an instructional design project in an industrial training program. The use of a microcomputer is explained as a decision-making aid to analyze, select, and sequence instructional goals and objectives and to develop criterion performance measures.…

The author reacts to Moss's study that investigated leadership qualities of vocational administrators. He questions the limited size and the homogeneity of the respondent base and comments that Moss assigns an unlikely outcome to the traditional occupational analysis procedure. The author also discusses one occupational analysis procedure, DACUM.…

Discusses some of the complex questions differentiation raises that have been glossed over as unproblematical and questions some of the assumptions underlying differentiation that have remained unchallenged. Areas needing further research are discussed. (13 references) (CK)

Sequence errors may be reduced by allowing students to perform a chained task in any functional order. This study, involving four elementary-aged students with moderate intellectual disabilities, found that tasks taught with functional procedures were acquired in fewer sessions, in less time, and with fewer errors than tasks taught in a specific…

Principles of motion economy were assessed with two vocational tasks for two adults with severe to profound mental retardation. The motion economy-based task analysis was not superior in acquisition, but once each task was mastered, it enhanced fluency across both tasks for both participants. (Author/DB)

Discusses instructional design; examines various analyses which should be made as part of instructional development, including needs analysis, front-end analysis, job analysis, task analysis, training analysis, and learning analysis; and describes steps in a learning analysis that is less labor-intensive and time-consuming. A learning analysis…

One of the major concerns of the foreign language profession today is to find a way to promote better cross-cultural understanding while continuing to develop linguistic skills. This discussion focuses on a series of oral and written tasks based on authentic written texts. (11 references) (VWL)

Defines courseware engineering (CE) and discusses how it differs from software engineering. Topics addressed include the goals of courseware engineering; a classification of tasks; costs; aspects of knowledge representation; the structure of knowledge in CE; processes in knowledge acquisition; and knowledge base validation. (Contains 48…

Describes the International Business Negotiation Simulations (IBNS), a series of workshops which use a computer-managed teleconferencing-based simulation designed to teach business executives how to negotiate successfully in a cross-cultural environment. Team structures and roles are described, the telecommunications interface is explained, and…

A review is offered of various bilingual memory studies that have been carried out during the past quarter century. Most of the studies have employed lexical items as the investigative tool, tested outside of a grammatical or semantic context. (Contains 58 references.) (JL)