In a collaboration with the ICT Modeling, Simulation, and Training group, the CVIT project studied and applied successful instructional techniques used by live classroom instructors (humor, motivation, tone, pace) with core enabling technologies (virtual humans, casual games, augmented reality, intelligent tutors and narrative-driven experiences). This distributed learning content was studied to increase learning and also user engagement and impact.
Use Cases: Three separate courses were developed and studied for the Army:
1) Army’s Advanced Situational Awareness – Basic (ASA-B): This course was designed as refresher training for applying ASA-B course skills to evaluate situational risk levels, and as a tool for trainers to use back at their home stations for training those unable to attend a resident course. This course leveraged animated tasks (e.g., examining walking gait) and scenario-based activities (e.g., adding cues to determine what actions should be taken). Cost-benefit analyses were conducted for different course design features (presented at I/ITSEC). For the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Ft Benning, Georgia.
2) Information Architecture Overview (CVIT-IA): This course was designed for new IA soldiers as an engaging “Intel 101” to help them understand the connections and roles of military intelligence sections and systems. CVIT-IA leverages game-like scenarios where the learner role-plays different intelligence missions, micro-content, and gamification (e.g., badges, humor). For the United States Army Intelligence Center of Excellence at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona.
3) Supervisor Development Course Refresher (SDC-R): SDC-R reinvented an existing “powerpoint-style” courseware by featuring engaging instructional videos and practice simulations to apply supervisor interpersonal skills and procedures in a game-like interaction with their virtual employees. For the Army Management Staff College, Fort Leavenworth.
Maturity: Operational / Legacy. All three CVIT courses were transitioned back to their respective commands for use. These courses are now maintained and used by the commands as aligned to their current training goals. The SDC-R course is the most impactful, as it reduced an annual supervisor course which typically required 40h to approximately 12h while retaining equal or better learning gains. This produced millions of dollars in annual cost-savings.