Description:
TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Human Systems
OBJECTIVE: Develop innovative training curriculum design and training technologies for high velocity learning by ASW personnel.
DESCRIPTION: High velocity learning through the Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) University will allow ASW personnel to achieve mastery faster and in a more engaging way than the current schoolhouse learning process [Ref 1 & 2]. Learning topics to be considered for this research effort are sonar search, detection, classification skills, fire control, ASW coordination, and tactical oceanography. The learning and training approaches should employ innovative advances in learning theory and methods to improve performance of ASW personnel. The small business could consider employing innovative classroom and learning methods, improved learning spaces, interactive video gamification, training sand boxes, and exploration tools such as gaming, social learning, simulation, micro learning and different instructional design methods [Ref 3 &4]. Solutions should create effective learning experiences that also motivate learners to achieve superior levels of performance. Benchmark testing would show mastery of fundamental skills as an acoustic sensor operator at quicker pace and with improved outcomes. Research should focus on determining the ideal training tools or approaches matched to the learning task or goal required of ASW personnel [Ref 5]. Each training solution or approach should provide for practice, performance measurement and feedback. Reusability and low cost of adoption and integration are important factors to consider in the research. The US Navys Sailor 2025 [Ref 6]) and Ready Relevant Learning concepts as well as A Design for Maintaining Maritime Superiority provide overarching context for the need for the ASW University. The research will include a detailed analysis of the current training approach and curriculum design used to train fleet ASW personnel for the AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 Surface Ship Undersea Warfare Combat System. The current process employs instructor lead training utilizing lectures and limited hands“on practical training. The current AN/SQQ-89 Sonar Operators course is 68 days long which will be reduced to 46 days as a result of the Ready Relevant Learning initiative. Innovative learning and instructional approaches and technical solutions should be researched and evaluated for effectiveness to achieve higher levels of learning engagement, active learning, performance, and an accelerated pace to mastery for ASW personnel. The effort will require a detailed task analysis for the ASW personnel using the AN/SQQ-89A (V) 15 Surface Ship Undersea Warfare Combat System. The task analysis should consider cognitive, job, and subject matter analysis methods; and apply the research findings; and develop a comprehensive curriculum, facilities plan, and training approach to address the job tasks, knowledge, and skills. An ASW University prototype will be developed to demonstrate the curriculum design approach. The prototyped approach should demonstrate improved performance when compared to current training processes for achieving the learning goals and mastery. ASW University will have parallel paths for transition to the fleet. The ASW University curriculum will provide an embedded e-learning course for the AN/SQQ-89A (V) 15 Surface Ships Undersea Warfare Combat System. ASW University is also intended to supplement or replace the Surface ASW Operators course at the Fleet ASW Training Center. Testing will be conducted as part of the four step testing process associated with the NAVSEA PEO IWS5A Advanced Capability Program. The classroom implementation of ASW University will be tested as a pilot course benchmarked against the current Surface ASW Operators course. The research should consider the range of training and learning architecture (TLA) capabilities, tools, and resources advocated by the Advanced Distributed Learning Imitative. These capabilities include the Moodle Learning Management System, Experience API, the Re-Usability Support System, and the Learning Record Store (LRS). The Phase II and Phase III efforts will likely require secure access, and NAVSEA will process the DD254 to support the contractor for personnel and facility certification for secure access. The Phase I effort will not require access to classified information. If need be, data of the same level of complexity as secured data will be provided to support Phase I work.
PHASE I: During Phase I, the company will identify and develop a concept for training fleet ASW personnel on the AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 Surface Ship Undersea Warfare Combat System focusing on improved instructional design and learning technologies. The concept will show that it can work within the system feasibly. Feasibility will be established through modeling and analysis of specific training strategies and techniques that utilize the unique training material which meet parameters set forth in the description. The Phase I Option, if awarded, will include the initial design concepts and proposed capabilities description for a Phase II prototype. Appropriate protocol for human subject testing should be followed.
PHASE II: Based on the Phase I results and the Phase II Statement of Work (SOW), the company will conduct a detailed job task analysis for the ASW personnel using the AN/SQQ-89A (V) 15 Surface Ship Undersea Warfare Combat System; employ the best in industry methodologies for the job task analysis; apply the findings from Phase I to develop a comprehensive curriculum, facilities plan, and training approach to address the job tasks, knowledge, and skills; conduct a one-week ASW University prototype to demonstrate the curriculum design approach for a subset of the learning goals required to achieve ASW personnel mastery; demonstrate improved performance using the prototyped process against current training processes for achieving the learning goals. Secure access to classified data will be required in Phase II. The protocol for human subject testing will be developed in Phase I for use in Phase II.
PHASE III: The company will be expected to support the Navy in transitioning the training program to Navy use. In Phase III, ASW University will have parallel paths for transition to the fleet. First, the ASW University curriculum will provide an embedded e-learning course for the AN/SQQ-89A (V) 15 Surface Ship Undersea Warfare Combat System. ASW University will integrate with the training learning architecture utilized in combat systems. This current architecture utilizes the MOODLE learning management system, the Learning Locker learning record store and the Advanced Distributed Learning Experience API. The second path of transition is to supplement or replace the Surface ASW Operators course at the Fleet ASW Training Center. Testing will be conducted as part of the four step testing process associated with NAVSEA PEO IWS5A Advanced Capability Program. The classroom implementation of ASW University will be tested as a pilot course benchmarked against the current Surface ASW Operators course. Private Sector Commercial Potential: The efforts of the research will have direct application to civilian sector industries that involve training personnel to operate in complex domains. These domains include transportation, finance, commercial space and communication industries.
REFERENCES:
1. Ambrose, Susan A., Bridges, Michael W., and others, How Learning Works: Seven Research Based Principles for Smart Teaching. San Francisco, John Wiley and Sons, 2010.
2. Merrienboer, J. J.G. and Kester, Liesbeth, Whole-Task Models in Education, Handbook of Research on Educational Communications and Technology, 2007, pp. 441-456.
3. Sheldon, Lee, The Multiplayer Classroom, Boston, Cengage Learning, 2011.
4. Gee, James Paul Learning by Design: Games as Learning Machines, E-Learning, 2005, 2(1), pp. 5-16.
5. M. David Merrill, A Tasked-Centered Instruction Strategy, Journal of Research on Technology In Education, Fall 2007, Volume 40(1), pp.33-50.
6. Sailor 2025. Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division. 10 May 2016. Sailor 2025 Ready Relevant Information Session. 20 September 2016. http://www.navair.navy.mil/nawctsd/EBusiness/BusOps/Forecast/sailor2025.cfm-
KEYWORDS: Gamification; Experience API; Interactive Video Training; Learning Theory; Training To Mastery; Distributed Learning
