THE VALIDATION OF INTERACTIVE COMPUTER SIMULATION PROGRAMS FOR PREDICTING ON-TASK COMPETENCIES FOR INERTIAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM EQUIPMEN

This study investigated the predictive value of time on-task and error scores on tests administered through Control Data Corporation PLATO interactive computer graphics simulation as predictors of errors and time on-task for inertial navigation system equipment operation. In addition, the correlation between simulated pass/fail error and time on-task scores, and subsequent pass/fail criteria using actual equipment was investigated. Data were gathered for 100 subjects across eleven computer and eleven equipment tests.;The data indicate that time on-task and error scores had correlations with actual equipment performance that were highly significant for each of eleven CAI tests. The additional variable, elapsed time in days between computer test performance and initial performance using actual equipment, resulted in greater predictive capability.;The data also indicate that the computer pass/fail scores had highly significant correlations with equipment pass/fail performance for each of the eleven computer tests. Over ninety-five percent of pass/fail scores had a perfect positive correlation. No student failed the actual equipment pass/fail criteria for either time on-task or number of errors with less than thirty-four elapsed days between computer test performance and performance using actual equipment.;This study concludes that CAI instruction using PLATO interactive computer graphics simulation can be used as an instructional medium for providing on-task competencies for the operation of inertial navigation system equipment.