Applying a User-Centered Design Approach to Developing Game-Based Training Environments for Aircraft Maintainers

Abstract

Designing training tools for complex jobs within military domains can be challenging. Training for aircraft maintainers, in particular, requires detailed instruction and guidance from job guides, instructors and aircraft equipment. These approaches are often inefficient, outdated and resource-intensive. Gaming and simulation can provide many of the necessary support capabilities to facilitate more cost-efficient, timely, engaging and effective training. Because current maintenance training procedures follow a very hands-on approach in terms of instructor and student involvement, it is essential that development of game-based training technologies is undertaken with these end users in mind. This chapter describes how iterative usability testing was employed throughout the development process for two software applications created for aircraft maintenance training. It also describes how a user-centered design approach supported the development of these game-based programs for superior training methods and experiences for all end users, including instructors, students and administrators.