A member of a Joint Chiefs of Staff workshop said, "The
best weapons, intelligence, communications, and computer systems
designed, built, and deployed are no good when the people
assigned are not trained to operate them!" This in a
nutshell is the motivation behind the advanced training and
learning work described in the edition of The Edge.
This edition of The Edge provides readers with perspectives
from researchers and implementors of instructional systems.
Their articles discuss both technologies and methodologies
aimed at making sure people know how to use the newest Command,
Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I)
systems.
Technologies spotlighted in this issue include embedded training,
intelligent computer-aided instruction, collaborative training,
distance learning, practice environments, and using simulation
to stimulate real-world C4I systems for training. Capitalizing
on these new technologies takes different methodologies as
well, such as capturing new doctrine while training to use
new C4I systems, and applying "learning methodologies"
to ensure training systems meet the needs of training audiences.
The articles in this issue describe how appropriate use of
technology-based training can reduce the cost and duration
of training, increase its accessibility to distant learners,
make training available to individuals when needed, reduce
the difficulty of distributing updated training materials,
and play a significant role in improving the design of C4I
systems and the doctrine for using them.
Cheikes and Goodman introduce two emerging technologies:
embedded training using Intelligent Computer-Aided Instruction
(ICAI) and collaborative learning environments. ICAI was inspired
by the effectiveness of one-to-one human tutoring. It focuses
on guiding the acquisition of skills (perceptual, motor, or
cognitive) through the coached practice of job-related tasks.
Artificial intelligence software guides each student through
selected task-oriented activities giving coaching, feedback,
scaffolding (where the learner works with an automated coach
to solve problems beyond his or her capability, contributing
as much as he or she knows), and fading (gradually withdrawing
the scaffolding as the learner becomes more capable). When
this task-oriented training software is integrated with application
software (such as a C4I system), it is known as embedded training.
In contrast to the individualized tutoring of ICAI, collaborative
learning environments enable even geographically distant students
to work together, ask each other questions, explain and justify
their opinions, articulate their reasoning, and elaborate
and reflect upon their knowledge. These sophisticated technologies
can help meet the needs for training the highest-level cognitive
skills in the shortest amount of time.
Chris Marsh describes a recently deployed ICAI system, which
teaches advanced troubleshooting skills on F-16 communications
systems, and drastically reduces training time.
Furey-Deffely and Levesque present a job-aid application
that tracks user progress on a separate C4I system. Like fully
embedded training, but without modifying the C4I system, the
job-aid can offer advice "just in time" to help
users successfully complete their tasks. While not primarily
training, such a system helps users be more productive. Being
able to add knowledge needed immediately for a specific situation
to skills already available is called "just-in-time training,"
a term popular with people working in training technology,
and important for understanding this issue of The Edge.
Tyler and Harper characterize the real-world challenges,
trade-offs, and lessons learned in deploying the Marine Corps
distance learning network: MarineNet. MarineNet provides interactive
multimedia instruction to Marines in their offices, in their
homes, in learning resource centers, aboard ships, and through
mobile networks in forward-deployed locations. The MarineNet
training management system will transform course registration
and student tracking. The courseware management system will
similarly transform course changes and distribution. This
distance learning approach reduces the cost of maintaining
the currency of training materials, eliminates the cost of
travel to training sites, and brings instructional advantages
of advanced training technology to remote sites.
New C4I systems enable new operational possibilities. Even
so, the best techniques, tactics, and procedures for using
evolving C4I systems have yet to be discovered. Ehrhart and
Bigbee explain how training in a near-operational setting
can support both doctrine development and system design. Pursuit
of such approaches will ensure that C4I systems deliver and
put in place processes that meet current needs and improve
operations.
Janet Johns describes a holistic instructional strategy in
which different phases of training are implemented with different
modes of instructional technology. Multimedia computer-based
training is used to teach basic concepts, structured practice
environments for practicing these concepts and procedures,
and virtual environments for more realistic practice and to
develop advanced problem-solving skills. The article states
that these technologies are not alternatives; instead each
is most suited to a certain kind of training.
One of the largest Department of Defense (DoD) investments
in training-systems development is the Joint Simulation System
(JSIMS). The JSIMS training audiences range from Joint Task
Force commands to Army battalion commands. Robert Bolling
describes how the applying learning methodologies (systematic
analysis of training audiences and training objectives) can
help ensure that large-scale training systems will indeed
meet their training purpose.
By stimulating tactical intelligence-collection equipment
with simulated data, a new system will allow intelligence
system operators to practice producing and disseminating intelligence
products. Dunlap and Dunlap characterize the broad set of
technical challenges that underlie trying to stimulate real-world
intelligence systems through simulation.
It is possible today to apply the advanced technologies and
methodologies described in this issue of The Edge.
We need to apply them for the DoD to gain the full benefit
of the newest C4I technology.
For more information, please contact guest
editors Gary Klein or Frank Linton using the employee directory.
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