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3 Human Sciences: Simulation and Training Technology
Pages 32-44

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From page 32...
... Its objective is to design, develop, apply, and assess artificially intelligent agent technologies -- such as adaptive tutoring and virtual human tools and methods -- to enhance training effectiveness and reduce costs. An important emphasis is on developing tools that allow others -- researchers, instructional designers, training developers, and trainers -- to efficiently author new training modules so that artificial tutors can be created for different training needs as they arise.
From page 33...
... STTC is tackling a number of very challenging technical problems in training technology such as how to make tutoring systems adaptive to individual learners, how to best manage instructional experiences, how to make synthetic entities behave more intelligently in training simulations, and how to make training simulations more interoperable. Many areas pursued by the synthetic natural environments technology group have great potential to set standards that other programs (and other Services)
From page 34...
... would lead to more focused research and more useful results. Some of the ways to accomplish this might include applying human factors models of task requirements and human capabilities/limitations, identifying relevant individual differences, testing prototypes, soliciting feedback from trainees and subject-matter experts, and collaborating on design and testing.
From page 35...
... From the presentations it was obvious that a large investment in effort has already been made in investigating a few specific factors such as voice-of-God (i.e., a computer voice, not identified with a virtual team member or instructor, provides feedback to the trainee) versus socially grounded tutoring, windowed versus embedded tutoring, and navigation by mouse versus joystick.
From page 36...
... The assessment of learner readiness, temperament, and personality has been shown to be a critical step in the pedagogical development of training materials; given the normal and expected diversity in learner backgrounds, it deserves to be a priority. Adaptive Tutoring Research The adaptive tutoring research initiative is focused on tutoring technologies that can equal or exceed skilled classroom instruction or skilled human tutors.
From page 37...
... Generalized Intelligent Framework of Tutoring The GIFT framework is a laudable effort to establish a general framework for intelligent tutoring. The GIFT demonstration illustrated a computational platform early in development that ambitiously aims to provide a structured environment for the authoring and managing of individual and complex multiactor team tutoring by individuals with less specialized technical and programming skill.
From page 38...
... The EPA study presented was an excellent example of the use of the human sciences to design intelligent tutors. The study was grounded in social cognitive theory and was a simple, well-designed test of the increased efficacy of embodied agents in providing feedback.
From page 39...
... Cited plans for future research included rapid database generation for mission planning, exploitation of comprehensive feature extraction from LiDAR 1 and hyperspectral imagery, and real-time processing of aerial- and ground-collected data. There was no evidence of STTC expertise in this area; STTC needs to pursue aggressive evaluation and exploitation of contemporary geospatial data sources such as Urban Feature Data Level 3, Specialized Urban Topographic Data Store, and Multinational Geospatial Co-production Program products from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or the Homeland Security Infrastructure Program.
From page 40...
... For example, in training simulations that involve interaction of avatars with foreign agents, emphasis on the facial expressions, pupil dilation, body language, and other features are paramount; if resources are limited, it is important to scale back other less critical features of the environment. Future research areas in synthetic natural environments cited by STTC included improved immersive capabilities involving acoustics and tactile feedback support (haptics)
From page 41...
... This area of research opens for STTC a real and strong opportunity to lead future developments in synthetic natural environments by using its research efforts to generate guidelines and protocols on how simulation software needs to be developed, aimed at the long-term goal of an integrated infrastructure in modeling and simulation. Training Applications Live Training Research Objectives This project was focused on potential technological improvements in the widely used laser tag live training systems.
From page 42...
... What is good enough in which situations? Medical Simulation for Training Research Objectives The medical simulation technologies used in training for medical interventions provided a model case for front-end analysis of downstream application needs and a model of the use of technology to provide suitable training and general exposure to individual medical personnel.
From page 43...
... that could prove as effective as or even more effective than holography from a cost and training perspective. Incorporating odor into medical training simulations is a relevant consideration, because numerous studies have revealed that unexpected or unpleasant odors can be a significant distraction in the field.
From page 44...
... The incorporation of human science approaches and human science professionals in the research teams and in the specification of internal standards could enhance the human science expertise of the researchers, augment functionally engaged scientific advisory arrangements, and expand training opportunities for developing senior and junior scientists. A strong related suggestion is that STTC work to improve the quality of its user study designs, including design of the data analysis.


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