Computer Backgrounds of Soldiers in Army Units: FY00
Abstract
The ability of soldiers to exploit systems using computers and to learn software quickly depends in part on their prior experience. Soldiers from four Army installations were given a survey that examined their experiences with computers, self-perceptions of their skill, and an objective test of their ability to identify Windows-based icons. The officers and senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) bad the most computer expertise as measured by both subjective and objective measures. For enlisted and junior NCOs the picture was more diverse; almost half the soldiers bad limited skills. Owning a computer, frequency of using a computer, and using a computer at work related highly with computer expertise. When specialists (rank of E4) were examined separately, opportunity to use computers as part of their job was related to computer expertise. The results indicate a diverse population, including soldiers with limited computer skills as well as those with programming skills. Those individuals with limited skills would benefit from basic computer training prior to learning to operating one of the Army's digital systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA399393
Entities
People
- Gene W. Fober
- Jean Dyer
- Jennifer L. Bredthauer
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences