Backwards Fading to Speed Task Learning
Abstract
In Backwards Fading (BF), a learner is provided with an initial, complete demonstration of a multi-step task. In subsequent iterations, more and more of the later task steps are completed by the student. Thus, task performance shifts from the instructor to the student. BF can be understood as a systematic means of removing scaffolding across learning trials. Research indicates BF holds promise for effective/efficient training, but the utility of BF in Army settings and with Army tasks needs to be empirically evaluated. To that end, Soldiers (N = 215) participated in two experiments. In the first experiment, Soldiers were BF trained on tasks judged by SMEs to be of comparatively low or high complexity. In the second experiment, Soldiers were trained via gradual ('step') or accelerated ('block') BF on a cognitive or a procedural task. Results indicated that the BF approach was effective, with 'Go' rates ranging from 77% to 99% on all tasks. The data exhibited weak but consistent trends in the directions hypothesized: more complex tasks yielded poorer performance than less complex tasks (Experiment 1) and more accelerated BF resulted in poorer performance than gradual BF (Experiment 2). Recommendations for utilizing BF in Army settings are provided.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA590615
Entities
People
- C. J. Brogdon
- Clinton R. Irvin
- Paul N. Blankenbeckler
- Peter S. Schaefer
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences