Module 7: Generic Skills 
Home

Basic Methods of Instruction

1.Kinds of Learning
2.Invariant Tasks
3.Concept Classification
4.Procedure Using
5.Principle Using
6.Understanding
7.Generic Skills
8.Attitudes
Comments
Site Map
Print it!		 What is a Generic Skill? A generic skill is a skill which: ï can be applied across a variety of subject domains, and 
ï takes longer to acquire than domain-dependent (subject-area) skills. It is what Gagné refers to as "cognitive strategies" and what many cognitive scientists refer to as "domain-independent knowledge." The major kinds of generic skills include thinking skills (such as problem solving techniques), learning strategies (such as creating mnemonics to help you remember things), and metacognitive skills (such as monitoring and revising your problem solving techniques or mnemonic-creating techniques). 

There are at least three major parts of a generic skill. The most prevalent component is a procedure--a set of steps you use to perform the skill. But you also usually need to understand and be able to apply certain principles that provide guidance as to how to perform each step, or even guidance as to when to use which procedure (approach). Third, it is often necessary to memorize the order of the steps--a memorization component.
Search    Comments   Print it   Site Map
Home Green Book I Green Book II Basic Methods of Instruction EPSS Other Sites

This file was last updated on March 10, 1999 by Byungro Lim
Copyright 1999, Charles M. Reigeluth Credit