Computer-Based Instruction in Military Environments


Book Description

This collection of papers is the result of a symposium sponsored by NATO's Defense Research Group Panel VIII in the Spring of 1985. The symposium came into being when it became obvious to the NATO countries that research, development and utilization of advanced technologies for training was the best means of increasing both training effectiveness and efficiency. This symposium was the second in a series of three devoted to training. The series was structured to cover all aspects of training. The first series addressed the value of training, the second one dealt with the application of training technologies and the third and last of the series focused on academic issues concerned with the effect of prior learning on subsequent learning. The fact that a major American publisher has determined that computer based instruction is the technology of greatest interest to the NATO community is not surprising. Advances in microprocessor technology have revolutionized both how and where we train. During this symposium there were a limited number of carefully chosen exhibits to demonstrate the various applications of computer based training techniques. In the following papers you will find both a practical and scientific basis for the way current and future training and training systems should be designed, applied and utilized. We know that training must be done faster and more effectively.







Applying Collaborative and E-learning Tools to Military Distance Learning


Book Description

This report is a resource guide for those concerned with using collaborative and e-learning environments; those that use the Internet in a military training setting. The report is intended for training developers and planners, instructional designers, and program evaluators. The report offers a broad examination of findings from the educational literature, where the preponderance of research on e-learning tools and collaborative learning (i.e., groups of learners who have a common goal) has been conducted. Reviewed first are the emergence of e-learning tools and constructivism, the role of the instructor in such approaches, and the increasing importance of learner-centered approaches to instruction. Appropriate quantitative and qualitative research methodologies are then described. A summary of relevant findings on collaborative tools, individual differences, and learning communities is also provided. Suggestions are made for experiments that test the adaptability to military training environments of e-learning and collaborative learning methods emanating from education. Ten primary and 17 secondary experiments are devised that derive from current psychological principles in cognition, motivation, social factors, and individual differences as applied to Internet-enabled learning.




A Survey and Analysis of Military Computer-Based Systems: A Two Part Study. Volume I.A Survey and Annotated Bibliography of Aids for Instructional Systems Development


Book Description

The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine the literature to identify authoring aids for developing instructional materials and to indentify information clearing houses for existing instructional materials; and (2) to develop a generalized, computer-based model of a self-paced instructional system that can be used to determine expected timesaving and costs of self-pacing as compared to conventional instruction. The purpose of Part 1, reported in Volume 1, was to examine the ISD concept as it relates to the authoring process and to identify and analyze tools and procedures which facilitate the ISD process. Findings of the study are: (1) more applied but unevaluated documents are associated with the civilian environments; (2) relatively equal numbers of applied and evaluated documents exist in both the civilian and military environments; (3) a greater number of authoring aids (tools, procedures, and methodologies) tend to be produced by the civilian environment; and (4) more procedures are available than either tools or methodologies. Approximately sixty authoring tools and procedures are arranged by ISD phase and step in an extensive, annotated bibliography. The ISD model used in this study was the Interservice Procedures for Instructional Systems Development (IPISD) Model. The results of Part 2, a computer-based model of self-paced instruction, are reported in Volume 2. (Author).




Cost-Effectiveness of Computer-Based Instruction in Military Training


Book Description

The cost and effectiveness of computer-based instruction for military training are evaluated on the basis of about 30 studies conducted since 1968. Four methods of instruction are distinguished and compared: Conventional Instruction: group-paced lectures, and discussions. Individualized Instruction: self-paced (without computer support). Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI): computer stores and provides instructional materials to students individually via interactive terminals; computer tests and guides students; self-paced. Computer-Managed Instruction (CMI): instructional materials and tests provided away from computer; computer scores the tests and guides students; self-paced.




A Survey and Analysis of Military Computer-Based Training Systems: (A Two Part Study). Volume II. A Descriptive and Predictive Model for Evaluating Instructional Systems


Book Description

Within the context of military training system development, the question of how to assess the cost versus expected benefits of innovations in training technology has become of major importance. Before this question can be answered, it must first be demonstrated that both the cost and the benefits of such innovations can be quantitatively measured. Then it must be demonstrated that accurate predictions can be made with regard to development and operational costs, training effectiveness, and expected timesavings. Three separate activities were undertaken to solve this problem. The first was to define a descriptive model of a generalized, computer-based training system. The second step was generation of a predictive model of student performance in a computer-based training environment. The third activity was to develop a computer program which incorporated the predictive model and estimated the cost of implementing and operating this particular, innovative training technique, i.e., conversion from conventional lock-step to self-paced, computer-based instruction.




An Examination of the Research Evidence for Computer-Based Instruction in Military Training


Book Description

Consistent empirical evidence does not exist to support or deny claimed advantages of computer-based instruction (CBI) over other instructional media for (a) reducing training time; (b) reducing life-cycle costs; (c) facilitating students' mastery of the instructional materials; (d) accommodating individual learning differences; and (e) motivating students' learning. The lack of empirical support for these issues is not totally explained by problematic courseware. CBI, especially future generations of this medium (e.g., intelligent computer-based instruction), promises to have a significantly positive impact on students' cognitive processing. CBI also promises to help slow learners. Problematic research procedures were found throughout the CBI literature. Most noticeable among these research problems were (a) confoundings due to the differences in instructional content; (b) making comparisons with inappropriate media; (c) confoundings due to program novelty effects and teacher attitudes; and (d) findings that were not replicated. One recommendation about future CBI research is that researchers should shift focus from examining the inherent superiority of this medium to identifying conditions for using computers in the instructional process. It is also recommended that CBI might be most useful as an instructional tool to supplement the established instructional program.




Battle Staff Training System II


Book Description

"This report documents the methodology and lessons learned in the development of the Innovative Tools and Techniques for Brigade and Below Staff Training II - Battle Staff Training System II (ITTBBST-BSTS II). This effort supported the Army's distance learning initiative by developing three computer-based training (CBT) courses of instruction on CD-ROM. An existing Brigade Common Core training support package (TSP) was converted from a text and computer-based TSP to a 100% CBT course with limited adjunctive text materials. In addition, TSPs were developed for the Training Developer and CBT Author to train them to update and maintain an existing library of courses. These TSPs were also 100% CBT. The ITTBBST-BSTS II Brigade Common Core course can replace the similar course in the existing BSTS library of courses for use by the Total Force. The Training Developer and CBT Author courses are designed for use at an institution with responsibility for updating and maintaining BSTS courseware. The Brigade Common Core and Training Developer courses are designed for use in a local area network, wide area network, or stand-alone computer mode. The CBT Author course is designed for stand-alone use only."--Stinet.




Research Report


Book Description




From Principles of Learning to Strategies for Instruction


Book Description

The primary goal of instructional design is improving the quality of learning and instruction. Instructional designers have focused on a number of areas of critical concern and developed a variety of techniques to achieve this goal (Reigeluth, 1983, 1999). Critical areas of concern for those who plan, implement and manage instruction include (a) needs assessment (identifying gaps or deficiencies in knowledge and performance to be addressed in instruction); (b) task analysis (identifying the types of knowledge, skills and attitudes to be developed during instruction); (c) learner analysis (determining who the learners are, what they know, relevant differences, etc. ); (d) instructional strategies (developing strategies appropriate for the task and learners involved); and (e) assessment and evaluation (determining how to assess individual progress and evaluate programs). There are many books already in print that treat the general domain of instructional design, as well as texts that target each of these areas of concerns. Why then another book on these issues? There are several answers to this question. Many of the available books treat instruction as a formal process that proceeds according to specific and detailed instructional systems development models (see, for example, Dick, Carey & Carey, 2005). Indeed, the US military has created a series of handbooks specifying details of the various instructional development processes (see Department of Defense, 1999).