Advertisement

Journal of Computing in Higher Education

, Volume 27, Issue 3, pp 196–214 | Cite as

Can simulator immersion change cognitive style? Results from a cross-sectional study of field-dependence–independence in air traffic control students

  • Richard N. Van Eck
  • Hongxia Fu
  • Paul V. J. Drechsel
Article
First Online:

Abstract

Air traffic control (ATC) operations are critical to the U.S. aviation infrastructure, making ATC training a critical area of study. Because ATC performance is heavily dependent on visual processing, it is important to understand how to screen for or promote relevant visual processing abilities. While conventional wisdom has maintained that such abilities are largely innate and stable (i.e., not impacted by training or experience), recent research has begun to question this assumption. For example, intelligence has been thought to be stable, yet intelligence scores on the Ravens Progressive matrices (RPM) change over time. Because the RPM, like ATC, relies on visual pattern recognition, one hypothesized reason for these changes is the increased exposure to visually intensive technologies like videogames. Other constructs such as field-dependence/independence (FD-I) which, like the RPM, rely on visual pattern detection and are thought to be stable, might therefore also be affected by visual technology exposure. Two studies sought to examine the role of videogame play on FD-I and ATC simulation performance by ATC students at a Midwestern university. No benefits of videogame play were found. However, more fourth-year ATC students were field-independent (FI) than were first-year students and the general population. Findings suggest that exposure to the ATC training program over 4 years may result in more FI students, and that FD-I may not be stable. Possible explanations and implications are discussed.

Keywords

Games Videogames Cognitive style Field-independence Field-dependence Air traffic control 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Notes

Compliance with ethical standards

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Ates, A., & Cataloglu, E. (2007). The effects of students’ cognitive styles on conceptual understandings and problem-solving skills in introductory mechanics. Research in Science and Technological Education, 25(2), 167–178.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Carretta, T. R. (1987). Field dependence–independence and its relationship to flight training performance (Technical Report). Brooks Air Force Base, TX: Air Force Research Laboratory.Google Scholar
  3. Clark, D. B., Tanner-Smith, E. E., & Killingsworth, S. (2014). Digital games, design, and learning: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Menlo Park, CA: SRI International.Google Scholar
  4. Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.Google Scholar
  5. EA Games. (2002). Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, (software). Redwood City, CA: Electronic Arts.Google Scholar
  6. Edwards, C., & Poole, R. W. Jr. (2010). Airports and air traffic control. Washington, D.C.: The CATO Institute. Available from http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/transportation/airports-atc.
  7. Flynn, J. R. (1987). Massive IQ gains in 14 nations: What IQ tests really measure. Psychological Bulletin, 101, 171–191. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.101.2.171.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. Green, S. C., & Bavelier, D. (2006). Enumeration versus multiple object tracking: The case of action video game players. Cognition, 101, 217–245.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  9. Greenfield, P. M. (2009). Linking social change and developmental change: Shifting pathways of human development. Development Psychology, 45(2), 401–418.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. Greenfield, P. M., Brannon, C., & Lohr, D. (1994a). Two-dimensional representation of movement through three-dimensional space: The role of videogame expertise. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 15, 87–103.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  11. Greenfield, P. M., deWinstanley, P., Kilpatrick, H., & Kaye, D. (1994b). Action videogames and informal education: Effects on strategies for dividing visual attention. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 15, 195–223.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  12. Haier, R. J., Karama, S., Leyba, L., & Jung, R. E. (2009). MRI assessment of cortical thickness and functional activity changes in adolescent girls following three months of practice on a visual-spatial task. BMC Research Notes,. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-2-174.Google Scholar
  13. Hays, R. T. (2005). The effectiveness of instructional games: A literature review and discussion. Technical Report 2005-004. Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division. http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA441935.
  14. Hopkin, V. (1980). The measurement of the air traffic controller. Human Factors, 22(5), 547–560.Google Scholar
  15. Johnson, S. (2006). Everything bad is good for you. New York: Riverhead.Google Scholar
  16. Leemkuil, H., de Jong, T., de Hoog, R., & Christoph, N. (2003). KM quest: A collaborative internet-based simulation game. Simulation and Gaming, 34, 89–111.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  17. Maliko-Abraham, H. (2004). A study of field independence and United States military air traffic controllers. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 48th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, September 20– 24, 2004, 1213–1217.Google Scholar
  18. O’Neil, H. F., Wainess, R., & Baker, E. (2005). Classification of learning outcomes: Evidence from the computer games literature. The Curriculum Journal, 16(4), 455–474.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. Panek, P. E. (1985). Age differences in field-dependence/independence. Experimental Aging Research, 11(2), 97–99.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Panek, P. E., Funk, L. G., & Nelson, P. K. (1980). Reliability and validity of the group embedded figures test across the life span. Perceptual Motor Skills, 50 (3, part 2), 1171–1174.Google Scholar
  21. Randel, J. M., Morris, B. A., Wetzel, C. D., & Whitehill, B. V. (1992). The effectiveness of games for educational purposes: A review of recent research. Simulation and Gaming, 23(3), 261–276.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  22. Raven J. C. (1936). Mental tests used in genetic studies: The performance of related individuals on tests mainly educative and mainly reproductive. MSc Thesis, University of London.Google Scholar
  23. Tinajero, C., & Paramo, M. F. (1997). Field dependence–independence and academic achievement : A re-examination of their relationship. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 67(2), 199–212.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. Tobias, S., Fletcher, J. D., Dai, D. Y., & Wind, A. P. (2011). Review of research on computer games. In S. Tobias & J. D. Fletcher (Eds.), Computer games and instruction (pp. 127–221). Charlotte, NC: IAP.Google Scholar
  25. Tramer, R. R., & Schuldermann, E. H. (1974). Cognitive differentiation in a geriatric population. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 39, 1071–1075.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  26. Van Eck, R., & Dempsey, J. (2002). The effect of competition and contextualized advisement on the transfer of mathematics skills in a computer-based instructional simulation game. Educational Technology Research and Development, 50(3), 23–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  27. Vogel, J. F., Vogel, D. S., Cannon-Bowers, J., Bowers, C. A., Muse, K., & Wright, M. (2006). Computer gaming and interactive simulations for learning: A meta-analysis. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 34, 229–243.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  28. Witkin, H. A., Oltman, P. A., Raskin, E., & Karp, S. A. (2002). Group embedded figures test manual. Menlo Park, CA: Mind Garden.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  • Richard N. Van Eck
    • 1
  • Hongxia Fu
    • 2
  • Paul V. J. Drechsel
    • 3
  1. 1.School of Medicine and Health SciencesUniversity of North DakotaGrand ForksUSA
  2. 2.College Research and Evaluation Services Team (CREST), Mary Lou Fulton Teachers CollegeArizona State UniversityTempeUSA
  3. 3.College of Aerospace SciencesUniversity of North DakotaGrand ForksUSA

Personalised recommendations

Cite article

Buy options