How can we use task analysis to teach functional skills?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Task analysis involves breaking down complex tasks into more manageable steps and putting the steps in order for the student. It involves taking a closer look at a given task and determining what skills, knowledge, and adaptations would be necessary for the student to be successful.A task analysis promotes independence by providing a checklist of steps required to complete the task.A student can use a task analysis independently, without intensive adult prompting that is sometimes required in the absence of such a checklist. Task analysis can be used to teach functional activities like washing hands, motor tasks like using scissors, academic tasks like writing letters, and social skills like sitting quietly and participating appropriately during circle time. Parker and Kamps (2011) designed a cooking activity, where students chose a recipe written on a piece of construction paper that gave step-by-step instructions on how to make the food, and they used toy appliances to bake the food items.In a restaurant activity, some participants were given two dollars to independently order a small drink and a side order using the overhead menus from restaurants. A task analysis that outlined the steps needed to complete an activity was created for each of the cooking and restaurant activities.