INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY NEEDS ASSESSMENT EVALUATION
IN BASIC MILITARY TRAINING (BMT)
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The Air Force Research Laboratory has developed a variety of methods and
tools to facilitate the application of advanced information technology
for training development, delivery, and evaluation
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Basic Military Training (BMT) is applying advanced information technology
to three key areas of training and management
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"CruisePad" hand-held computers for Training Instructor activities

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Automated testing of trainees
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Automated customer feedback surveys
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HRC is designing and implementing studies to assess the impact of advanced
information technology on BMT organizational process efficiency and effectiveness
and on personnel satisfaction
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Automated organizational assessment survey to identify time consuming TI
activities and to establish baseline time estimates and attitudes toward
technology
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Activity list refined by BMT personnel, automated survey under review
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All squadron instructors and support personnel complete baseline survey
in Sep 97
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CruisePad software refinement, training, and implementation for dorm inspection
and trainee management activities initially
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Initial experimental group of 20 randomly selected instructors
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Iterative refinements to CruisePad software and forms: Oct 97, Dec 97,
Feb 98
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Additional groups (20-30 instructors per group) added throughout Fall 97
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Follow-up surveys to be administered in Nov 97, Jan 98, & Mar 98
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HRC to conduct comparative analysis of data to demonstrate impact
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Development and implementation of networked, automated testing procedures
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Present paper and pencil testing requires four hours per flight
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Test reporting software limited in flexibility
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BMT to use HRC-developed automated survey methods to deliver tests in prototype
electronic classroom
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Test development underway, implementation delayed pending classroom network
completion and analysis software refinement and evaluation
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HRC converting COBOL-based analysis software to C++ in Windows95
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HRC to acquire network routers and to provide server PC
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HRC to conduct cost benefit assessment of testing
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Development and implantation of automated customer feedback surveys
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Automated survey development by BMT personnel completed
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Coordination with USAFOMS for disk duplication underway
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Field administrations to begin in Sep 97
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HRC to assist in developing Excel data analysis and reporting macros
For preliminary results see the October 1998 IMTA presentation on BMT
(click here)
For additional information, contact Dr. Winston Bennett
at (602) 291-4635 or via e-mail at Winston.Bennett@williams.af.mil
IJOA is providing research assistance and statistical analysis.
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