Which of the following is an example of task analysis?

• A. Demonstrating the process for using a pay phone
• B. Guiding a student through the process of brushing teeth using prompts
• C. Breaking down the process for tying shoelaces into component parts so that it can be taught to a student using chaining
• D. Gradually weaning a student from completing a task with assistance

Answer: (C)

Task analysis involves taking a complex skill and breaking it into smaller, sequential steps so each part can be taught and practiced before putting it all together. The example of tying shoelaces fits this idea exactly: the overall skill is decomposed into its component actions, which are then taught in a sequence using chaining to link those steps until the whole task is performed smoothly.

This approach is different from simply demonstrating the entire activity at once, which doesn’t break the task into teachable parts. It’s also distinct from guiding a student through a whole task with prompts during the entire process, which may rely on prompting rather than establishing a clear, teachable sequence. And it’s not about gradually removing assistance from the outset; fading prompts is about independence, not the initial analysis of the task’s steps.