Learning of Procedures in Navy Technical Training: An Evaluation of Strategies and Formats

Polino, Anne M.; Braby, Richard

doi:10.21236/ada084067

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…The oscilloscope study was initially published as TAEG Report 84 by Polino and Braby [10]. It is available from the Training Analysis and Evaluation Group and contains one of the training packages described in this paper.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Illustrated formats to teach procedures

Braby

Kincaid²,

Scott³

et al. 1982

IEEE Trans. Profess. Commun.

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Formats to teach procedures were developed to in corporate appropriate learning strategies. The formats contain a preponderance of graphics with supporting text and include a foldout, or paper mock-up, showing the face of the equipment. Exercises are provided for recalling individual steps and for chaining steps. These materials, called learning aids, were developed and field-tested on two pieces of complex equipment: tuning an oscilloscope probe and starting a helicopter engine. Results showed the learning aids reduce errors and produce quicker learning compared with narrative manuals commonly used to teach procedures. TPHE manner in which operating procedures are organized -*■ and presented to technicians affects both learning time and subsequent job performance. Many questions still remain on how best to present procedural instructions. Booher wrote in 1975 [1]:There have been insufficient guidelines for designing for mats used in presenting information intended to com municate concepts, general information, or even simple procedures. This has been especially evident in attempts to present information of a technical or logical nature. Writers of technical manuals, designers of programmed instructions, and designers of equipment are continually faced with the problem of selecting among pictorial, schematic, and printed formats to communicate informa tion, with little or no knowledge of the format's effect on the understanding or comprehension of the informa tion presented.Booher proposed that pictures are effective in teaching loca tion tasks but that words must also be used to effectively teach complex procedures. Guidelines have recently been published for formatting procedural instructions for both military [2-4] and civilian [5] applications. The U.S. Army's "new look" manuals [6-8] use illustrations generously with simple text. They are a significant improvement compared to older military manuals.Still there is much to be learned about effective formats for presenting job-task information. The potential benefits are great for improving the effectiveness of technical information, given its tremendous volume and the continuing difficulty in using it.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Illustrated formats to teach procedures

Braby

Kincaid²,

Scott³

et al. 1982

IEEE Trans. Profess. Commun.

Self Cite

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show abstract

“…The PTAs and FPJPAs are found to be significant improvements compared to older military manuals; see Polino and Braby (1980), and Foley (1978). Although potential payoffs in performance increments * and cost avoidance appear to be readily available from the new JPA technologies, for the most part, JPAs are still being implemented in a piecemeal fashion by the military and civilian services (see Blanchard, 1977 Braby and Scott, 1980).…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The ,U.S.--Army's "new look" manuals make heavy use of illustrations and simple text which are related in an illustrative manner. Polino and Braby (1980) used these guidelines and the learning algorithms by Aagard and Braby (1976) to create materials called Procedure Training Aids (PTAs) to teach procedures. These materials are used to teach procedures that must be performed from memory or with simple check lists instead of with job aids.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%