SBIR-STTR Award

An Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) will be developed and incorporated into a prototype pc-based desktop trainer for combat forward observers and forward air controllers. This trainer will use Digital Video Interactive (DVI) technology to present the trainee with a series of highly realistic interactive simulations of the forward observer/controller's combat environment. This trainer makes extensive use of the unique multi-media presentation capabilities offered by dvi, including full-motion color video, high resolution still imagery, 3-d graphics, and multiple channels of audio. The intelligent tutoring module will be integrated into the simulation, and will include dynamic models of the "trainee", "expert", and "tutor." the user interface will be supported by writing extensions to the dvi software library. The first phase of this project will concentrate on developing, implementing and testing the its on a single skill area selected from the skills inventory of typical users. The ITS structures and knowledge-bases will be built using object-oriented design methodologies and commerciallyavailable expert system development tools. Future work will encompass full implementation, testing and refinement, and integration of the remaining forward observer skills into the ITS.

Keywords:
Training Device Forward Observe Intelligence Computer Aided Tutoring System Expert Systems Air Contr

BETAC Corporation was a beta test site for Digital Video Interactive (dVi) technology, and has developed technical expertise in dvi-based applications during the sbir phase I projet. Betac's phase I project, the forward observer training system (FOTS), successfully integrated an intelligent tutor with DVI's multimedia capabilities. Adherence to object-oriented design and programming resulted in a powerful core set of object-oriented dvi authoring tools. The proposed phase II approach is to develop a training system for the air force using DVI-based authoring tools. An intuitive interface supported by full motion video, multiple channels of audio, and high quality imagery will facilitate the development of multimedia training by non-programmer or functional personnel. The specific domain for the phase II project may include a training system for either space, maintenance, or security police environment. Using a DVI-based authoring toolkit for development, the delivery product will be a DVI training system capable of on-the-job training at the unit level.

Keywords:
Training Device Forward Observe Intelligence Computer Aided Tutoring System Expert Systems Air Contr