Abstract
Cognitive readiness to perform complex decision-making or problem-solving tasks can be, and often is, taught and measured in the context of interactive practice environments, including computer games and simulations. Traditionally, human experts have observed learners in such practice environments and have made assessments of cognitive readiness for the task by evaluating the performance. Such experts sometimes also instructed the learners, either in real time or in after-action reviews that sometimes included playback of a recorded practice session. Progress has been made toward supporting automated assessment in simulations and games and in providing automated instruction. The TAO Sandbox, a practice environment for planning surface warfare naval tactics, has such features that support automated assessment. Elements of that system suggest universal services that games and simulations could offer to support automated instruction and assessment of cognitive readiness.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
The term Sandbox is an analogy to the physical sandboxes, usually raised on legs, that are used to teach tactical principles to Army and Marine officers, where objects representing tanks, firing teams, squads, platoons, artillery pieces, etc. are placed in terrains modeled using the sand in the box. Our computer-based Sandbox for teaching about Navy tactics allows placements of naval units to model tactical situations. In addition, however, it can simulate the passage of time and automate the movement of units.
References
Auslander, B., Molineaux, M., Aha, D. W., Munro, A., & Pizzini, Q. (2009). Towards research on goal reasoning with the TAO Sandbox (Technical Note AIC-09-155). Washington, DC: Naval Research Laboratory, Navy Center for Applied Research on Artificial Intelligence.
Clark, R. E., Yates, K., Early, S., & Moulton, K. (2010). An analysis of the failure of electronic media and discovery-based learning: Evidence for the performance benefits of guided training methods [electronic version]. In K. H. Silber & R. Foshay (Eds.), Handbook of training and improving workplace performance, Volume I: Instructional design and training delivery. Washington, DC: International Society for Performance Improvement.
Endsley, M. R. (1995). Toward a theory of situation awareness in dynamic systems. Human Factors, 37, 32–64.
Mayer, R. (2004). Should there be a three-strikes rule against pure discovery learning? The case for guided methods of instruction. The American Psychologist, 59, 14–19.
Merrill, M. D. (2002). First principles of instruction. Educational Technology Research and Development, 50(3), 42–59.
Munro, A. (2007). Foundations for software support of instruction in game contexts. In H. F. O’Neil & R. S. Perez (Eds.), Computer games and team and individual learning. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Munro, A., & Pizzini, Q. A. (2009). The TAO Sandbox user guide. Working paper, Center for Cognitive Technology, University of Southern California.
Munro, A., Pizzini, Q. A., & Bewley, W. (2009). Learning anti-submarine warfare in the context of a game-like tactical planner. In Proceedings of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation & Education Conference (I/ITSEC). Retrieved from http://ntsa.metapress.com/ling.asp?id=u1q691546361167
Paas, F., Renkl, A., & Sweller, J. (2004). Cognitive load theory: Instructional implications of the interaction between information structures and cognitive architecture. Instructional Science, 32, 1–8. Retrieved from http://meds.queensu.ca/ohse/assets/cogntive_load_theory_pass_2004_.pdf
Sweller, J., & Cooper, G. A. (1985). The use of worked examples as a substitute for problem solving in learning algebra. Cognition and Instruction, 2(1), 59–89.
Acknowledgements
The work reported herein was partially supported by a grant from the Office of Naval Research, Award Number N00014-08-1-0126. The findings and opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of the Office of Naval Research.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Munro, A. (2014). Software Support for Teaching and Measuring Cognitive Readiness. In: O'Neil, H., Perez, R., Baker, E. (eds) Teaching and Measuring Cognitive Readiness. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7579-8_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7579-8_15
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-7578-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-7579-8
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawEducation (R0)