Cognitive Task Analysis in Learning and Development

Cognitive Task Analysis gets to the decision-making behind performance so that what is done by Subject Matter Experts can be accurately shared and then replicated. In this episode, Dick Clark shares insights and experience into what CTA is, why it is critical to successful L&D and how to get started.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• CTA improves the interview strategies that designers use to discover from experts what trainees need to learn.
• A lot of what experts do (about 70%) is hidden because they have learned to do things automatically. CTA draws out the thought processes behind far more of the actions experts perform.
• CTA trained groups learn 43 to 45% more and do so in about 35% less time.
• CTA trainees also make only minor mistakes.
• The creation of CTA training takes more time. But, the positive results achieved quickly cover the time spent creating the training.
• There are 100 types of CTA. In the episode, Dick narrows that field down and explains the technique that has been proven to work best.
• Revising and critiquing the training using another expert greatly improves the overall result.
• The process of creating CTA training often identifies problems that organizations have learned to work around. Providing the opportunity to solve those problems and work more efficiently.
• CTA is flexible, it works for all types of work. Including, technical, management, leadership and many soft skills.
• Selecting the right experts is essential. Dick covers how to do this in significant detail including what they ask them.
• Often, the rigorous analysis stage of CTA uncovers opportunities to create simple job aids that greatly enhance performance.
• AI is set to replace many elements of the analysis and design processes.
• AI will greatly speed the entire training process up, which will generate a huge step change that will make TLDP an even more critical department.

BEST MOMENTS

'As task analysis is now performed only about 70% of the decisions that experts make are being captured. '

'In the surgical CTA study, we solved enormous problems that the surgeons didn´t know they had.'

'There are places where job aids are just as effective, and certainly more efficient, than training.'

'A lot of AI programmes are going to be developed that is going to replace analysis and design. '

VALUABLE RESOURCES

The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

EPISODE RESOURCES

You can follow and connect with Dick via:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dick-clark-3b16571/

Email: clark@usc.edu 

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dick Clark is Professor Emeritus of Educational Psychology and Technology, Clinical Professor of Surgery and has served as Co-Director of the Center for Cognitive Technology at the University of Southern California. Dick is the author of over 300 published articles and book chapters as well as three recent books - Learning from Media: Arguments, analysis and evidence, Second Edition (2012, Information Age Publishers); Handling Complexity in Learning Environments: Research and Theory (2006, Elsevier) and Turning Research into Results: A guide to selecting the right performance solutions (2008, Information Age Publishers) which received the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) Award of Excellence.

ABOUT THE HOST

David James

David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa.

As well as being the Chief Learning Strategist at Looop, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D as well as an active member of the CIPD L&D Advisory Board.

CONTACT METHOD

• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin/ 
• Website: https://www.looop.co/