Effects of Small Group and Individual Computer-Based Instruction on Retention and on Training Lower Ability Soldiers

摘要

The effect of having various numbers of soldiers at a terminal for computer based instruction (CBI) in a procedural task were examined. Soldiers in each of two experiments were trained to use the Communications Electronics Operating Instructions (CEOI) extracts. Twenty-four soldiers participated in Experiment 1. Eight were nonsystematically assigned to each of three conditions: GRP, or four at a terminal; PR, or two at a terminal; and IND, or one at a terminal. All soldiers took a pretest, a posttest immediately after training, and a second posttest 2 weeks later. Thirty-four soldiers, who were in sustainment training, participated in Experiment 2. Twelve were in the GRP condition, 10 in PR, and 12 in IND. All were pretested and took three posttests: one immediately after training, another 2 weeks later, and another 8 weeks after training. The results of the two experiments suggested that, for both low-ability and other soldiers, the GPP and PR presentations were more cost effective. Further, soldiers in GRP and PR conditions retained more information than those in IND conditions. Keywords: Armor training, Computer based instruction, Computer assisted instruction, Cooperative learning, Peer tutoring, Training devices. (sdw)