Skill Acquisition and Retention in Training: DSTO Support to the Army Ammunition Study.

摘要

This work was undertaken within the Land Preparedness Studies Task (ARM 01/059) within the Land Operations Division. It is in response to the request for DSTO support contained within the Terms of Reference for the Army Ammunition Study (AAS). This request was for DSTO to assist in developing a better understanding of skill degradation (retention) and acquisition, with the view that this would enable accurate prediction of training requirements and in the longer term the development of tools to predict levels of proficiency provided by different training regimes. In summary we: (1) Took a systems approach to the training problem and assessed the impact of the treatment of skill acquisition and degradation of predictions of training frequency requirements. (2) Undertook a literature survey, concentrating on the Cognitive Psychological literature, to ascertain the current thinking on how people learn and forget. (3) Assessed the gaps in the literature and scoped the work needed to address these gaps. Assessed how DSTO could address the issues raised by the AAS in both the short and long terms, through the development of appropriate R&D programmes.