Determining TEC Media Alternatives for Field Artillery Individual-Collective Training in the FY 78-83 Period

Abstract : This report is the second of three, following ARI Technical Report TR-77-A20, 'The Effectiveness of Alternative Media in Conjunction with TEC for Improving Performance in MOS Related Tasks'. The emphasis in the Army on a first-battle-win readiness posture demands realism of situational training, active response, and sustaining practice, but with less demand on scarce and costly resources. The research objective was to develop practical procedures, data sources, and a resource management approach which training supervisors could use to select an optional delivery system mix for any major individualized-collective training and evaluation program requirement arising in the FY 78-83 period. Although the research has focused on training requirements within the Army Field Artillery School, the results have Army-wide application. TRADOC goals suggest that it is necessary to: (a) insure that course designers developers possess the skills for selecting, developing and updating media and courseware for a variety of alternative delivery systems; (b) ensure that school system managers can specify procurement requirements as well as monitor and evaluate contractor plans and products; and (c) collect and summarize data on training cost effectiveness to include user acceptance throughout the life cycle development of a system.