Computer-Based Training Applied to the U.S. Navy Maintenance Training Improvement Program

In the military, there has been much interest in combining instructional methodologies with computer technology to facilitate training. The potential for life cycle cost reduction while improving the effectiveness of training is very attractive. Thus, Computer-Based Training (CBT) has been embraced by the U. S. Navy. Initially, CBT was used primarily to manage training programs and has more recently also been used to provide instruction directly. However, CBT has not adequately kept pace with the formidable record-keeping and data requirements of a typical Navy training program. Proposals are introduced here to improve data processing and management for CBT. Also, concepts are described to promote better decision-making so that more efficient use can be made of CBT resources, both now and in the future. Methods to facilitate actual training with CBT are discussed. These initiatives are applied specifically to the Navy Maintenance Training Improvement Program (MTIP).