Training Effectiveness as a Function of Training Device Fidelity
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of reduced training devices fidelity on learning and performance of a perceptual-motor maintenance task. Bicycle wheel truing was chosen for study. Five devices including the actual equipment were procured, or designed and built. The device fidelity was systematically varied in physical and functional similarity to the actual equipment. One hundred naive high school and vocational technical school students served as paid subjects; 20 were trained in each device condition. All subjects were then tested on the actual equipment. The results indicated that significant skill was acquired under all training conditions. The amount of skill acquired did not differ as a function of overall fidelity (i.e., with physical and functional similarity at the same level). However, further analysis in which these two dimensions were separated showed a significant effect of physical similarity. High physical similarity resulted in higher performance on the transfer of training task than low physical similarity. Further research was proposed in the context of specific experiments. Finally, recommendations for the organization and communication of research results via a computerized database were presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA140997
Entities
People
- A. Mirabella
- D. R. Baum
- R. T. Hayes
- S. L. Riedel
Organizations
- Honeywell International, Inc.