Integrated System Test of the Advanced Instructional System (AIS)

摘要

The integrated system test for the Advanced Instructional System (AIS) was designed to provide quantitative answers regarding the training time reductions resulting from certain computer-managed instruction (CMI) functions of the AIS. The reliabilities of the CMI functions and of the AIS support systems (media, computer hardware, and software) were also investigated. Testing established that conversion of the conventional lockstep Inventory Management (IM) course to self-pacing with basic CMI functions reduced training time by 35%. In the Material Facilities (MF) course, the reduction was 24%; in Precision Measuring Equipment (PME), 31%; and in Weapons Mechanic (WM), 31%. Student progress management (SPM), an additional CMI capability which gives frequent feedback to the student and instructor regarding the student's progress toward a computer-generated data target graduation date, resulted in additional savings of 10% in IM, 6.7% in MF, 5.1% in PME, and 13.5% in WM. Individualized instructional assignment (IIA), another CMI capability whereby a student is assigned to those alternative instructional treatments that are predicted to be best for that student, resulted in additional saving in the IM course-individualization in one-fourth of the course reduced the average time in course by 3%. Reliability and maintainability data collected during the integrated system test indicated that the CMI support functions, the media devices and courseware, and the computer hardware and software met or exceeded AIS requirements. (Author)