AN ARCHITECTURE FOR ADAPTIVE COMPUTER-ASSISTED INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS FOR COMPLEX DYNAMIC SYSTEMS

The need for better methods of training supervisory controllers has motivated exploration of simulator-based ICAI programs. An architecture for simulator-based ICAI programs that teach supervisory control tasks in complex dynamic systems is proposed to reduce the complexity and startup costs associated with such programs. The architecture is comprised of a set of functions and guidelines for the three elements of an instructional system: the task model, the student model, and the instructional module. The task model prescribes methods of performing the task via directed problem-solving aids. The student model describes student behavior and provides interactive performance feedback. Instructional management decisions are made by the instructional module.;AHAB's task model was validated by four Navy ROTC instructors. Instructors qualitatively judged the task model to be appropriate. They also believed that their students would benefit from interaction with AHAB.;The effectiveness of AHAB as a training tool was assessed in an experiment involving twenty-four Navy ROTC sophomores. Students received PEQUOD problem-solving practice and additional training by one of three conditions during the training phase. During the testing phase students solved ten unaided problems in the PEQUOD system. Independent variables were training condition and seen status. The three training conditions were unaided simulator practice, offline aids, and online aids via AHAB. Seen status was an indicator of whether or not the student had seen a problem during the training phase. Ten dependent variables measured numbers of correct student actions and errors.;Results of the experiment indicated that AHAB produced better performance than unaided simulator practice alone for problems the subjects had not previously seen. Furthermore, offline presentation of material was not sufficient to develop an expert strategy; students did better when they had access to an adaptive, online aid.;A prototype ICAI program called AHAB was developed to test the usefulness of the architecture as a design tool. AHAB teaches troubleshooting in a marine powerplant simulator called PEQUOD.;These results demonstrate the benefits of using AHAB as a training tool. Moreover, the results indicate that the proposed architecture is an appropriate way to structure an ICAI program. Therefore, instructional designers may use this tool to facilitate the job of building ICAI programs for complex dynamic systems.