Learning Hierarchy Analysis  identifying prerequisite skills Robert Mills Gagné (1916-2002) Yuri Pavlov IDE712 16 April 2016 Syracuse University

Types of learning outcomes • Use discrimination • Use a concept • Apply a rule • Solve a problem Declarative knowledge Intellectual skills condition Psychomotor skills Cognitive strategies recall a specific prerequisite Attitudes Gagné, R. (1985). The Conditions of learning (4th ed.). New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston. Photo credit: AliExpress

4x – 7 = 5 VII. linear equation VI. variable V. division In groups of two… 4x – 7 = 5 What are the prerequisites needed to solve this math problem? Make a hierarchical structure. Do the prerequisites analysis. VII. linear equation VI. variable V. division IV. multiplication III. subtraction II. addition I. whole number (integer) Learning hierarchy analysis (1960s-1980s) • there are subordinate and superordinate skills • subordinate skills precede superordinate • subordinate (prerequisite) skills facilitate learning of higher skills • prerequisite skills should be identified as exhaustive as possible • students should first learn lower skills and then higher skills

But… • linear • neglect of individual characteristics • neglect of environmental variables IDD&E: historical overview before practice? Foreign languages: verbs before adverbs? Translation Studies: translational description before binominal omission? Every ​time I ​fly to the States, I get really ​bad ​jet ​lag. | The child was found safe and sound in the park.

Advantages and implications • identifies and chunks content • helps sequence instruction • removes non-essential content • best used for curriculum development [macro-level] or for maths & physics courses ** trigonometry after algebra • not entirely applicable for humanities courses

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