Enhancements to Motivational Skills Training for Military Training Students. Phase 1 Evaluation

摘要

This research note is part of the Basic Skills Resource Center research component, and was undertaken to design and evaluate the effectiveness of Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) enhanced versions of the Motivational Skills Training Program. This report describes the technology-based CAI enhancements, and the results of an experimental examination of the skills training program. Recommendations for implementation in Army technical programs are also discussed. Inadequate student performance in military training is a continuing problem for all branches of the service, despite the many recent improvements that have been made in technical training curricula and training costs because of increased training time and delays in student progress through the training pipeline. One factor that has been found to contribute to students' poor academic performance is skill deficiencies of an attitudinal or motivational nature. A skill training program for remedying these deficiencies, the Motivational Skills Training Program, has been developed and evaluated with Air Force trainees. Evaluation findings indicated that trainees liked the program and found it helpful in both their course work and personal lives.