The Evolution of the Air Force Advanced Instructional System

Abstract

Since 1969, the Technical Training Division of the Air Force Human Resources Laboratory (AFHRL) has been engaged in planning and developing a design philosophy and development approach for the Air Force Advanced Instructional System (AIS). The AIS is a proposed computer-based multimedia system for the administration and management of individualized technical training on a large scale. The system is scheduled for installation and demonstration at Lowry Air Force Base. The initial version will provide day-to-day training in three selected courses for approximately 2000 students and will also provide a training research facility to allow systematic evaluations of innovations in instructional technology. The purpose of this presentation is to trace the evolutionary process which led to the current design and development approach to the AIS. The objectives and findings of some preliminary studies will be discussed and the current functional system configuration will be described.

Development of a Low-Cost, Stand-Alone Microterminal for Support of Testing and Instruction.

“…The Air Force program called the Advanced Instructional System (AIS) (Rockway & Yasutake , 1974) utilizes both computer-managed instruction (CMI) and computer-assisted instruction (CAl) to achieve this goal. Conventionally, CAT is considered to be an intensive on-line interaction between student and computer lasting over extended periods of time , while CMI provides guidance for instruction with intermittent interactions between computer and student.…”