Normative and Descriptive Models for Training-System Design

Abstract

The increasing cost of training and limitations in the military training budget have led to increased emphasis on training cost-effectiveness. In addition, advances in instructional technology have greatly increased the options that are available to the training-system designer. Current training system design processes do not address the cost-effectiveness of the wide range of training-device and simulator options available to the training designer. This paper describes a system of models for the optimization of simulation-based training systems (OSBATS). The OSBATS system contains both normative and descriptive modeling components. The normative modeling components provide a structure for the decision-making processes involved in training-system design. The descriptive modeling components support the decision process, and characterize the effectiveness, efficiency, and costs involved in training-device development and use. The OSBATS system provides a coherent set of procedures for decision making and a set of tools to aid the designer in following these procedures.

The author would like to acknowledge the individuals who developed the OSBATS model, particularly H. Ric Blacksten and Dennis M. Buede, who had primary responsibility for the definition of three of the OSBATS modules. The author would also like to thank Michael J. Singer for his comments on an earlier draft of this paper. This research was supported by contract MDA903-85-C-0169 from the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. The opinions expressed are those of the author, and should not be interpreted as representing official policies, expressed or implied, of the U.S. Army Research Institute or the Department of Defense.