An Interactive Assessment Tool for the Expert Infantry Badge Competition: Design, Development, and Evaluation

摘要

This research developed a digital assessment process using the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) competition as a test-bed. The mobile assessment tool allows cadre to rate over 1,000 EIB Candidates, using tablets to access digital rubrics to enter Candidate scores, including GO or NO-GO decisions. These scores are automatically transferred in (near) real-time to a digital tracking application and displayed on a data analytics dashboard in the tactical operations center, providing leaders with a moment-to-moment comprehensive overview of EIB candidates performance. During an EIB competition (the train-up week), the assessment tool was tested using a mesh network system to wireless connect 30 EIB testing stations. Further, feedback was obtained from the EIB proponent (the U.S. Army Infantry School), EIB testers, and unit Leaders about the benefits and challenges of the mobile technology, enabling comparisons to be made between the digital tool and current manual assessment process.