Videodisc Interpersonal Skills Training and Assessment (VISTA): Volume 2. Topics Analysis and Scenario Development

摘要

The Videodisc Interpersonal Skills Training and Assessment (VISTA) project was initiated as a means to use computer-assisted training/videodisc technology to reduce the high training costs associated with junior officer leadership skills training. Historically the major problem was simulating subordinates as they would probably respond in a given leadership situation; assessment center simulations and role playing could train leadership skills but not without high personnel costs due to the numbers of counselors and role players required. The research effort included topic analysis, hardware selection, software development, scenario writing, studio production, editing, and videodisc mastering. Final evaluation of the videodiscs produced included the administration of two tests, a test designed to measure the acquisition of leadership skills and a subjective preference test designed to measure user acceptance. Nine highly interactive videodisc training scenarios covering 20 leadership problems were produced. Overall evaluation results indicated a VISTA superiority followed by role playing and programmed text, with the majority of students indicating that a combination of videodisc and role playing would be optimal for leadership training. Results also indicate that although VISTA products were designed for the Infantry Officer's Basic Course, the problems addressed are probably common to other Army branches and should therefore be investigated for possible application in other training centers.