The overall goal of the proposed effort is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of integrating advanced multimodal interface technologies and advanced embedded performance assessment metrics within current and emergent naval engineering maintenance VE training platforms. Our advanced interface technologies will support visual, auditory, haptic, and olfactory modalities and our advanced embedded assessments will measure cognitive, perceptual, and psychomotor skills. The integration of these interfaces and assessments will be guided by the long-term (i.e., Phase II) goal of optimizing the training experience for acquisition and sustainment of naval engineering maintenance skills. This effort seeks to identify requisite skills and advanced science and technology tools to support training, retention, and assessment of these skills within immersive VEs, as well as mobile (tablet-based) tools for use in operational environments. Specifically, AnthroTronix, Inc. (ATinc) and the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) propose to design, develop, and validate an Interactive Next-generation Testbed Environment for Retention and Assessment of Computer-based Training (INTERACT) prototype that can be integrated with current and emergent computer-based training platforms to support optimized training and retention of naval engineering maintenance skills.
Benefit: There are a number of potential customers for the INTERACT technology from both the military and civilian sectors. The initial technology prototype will be designed specifically to support naval engineering maintenance skill acquisition, retention, assessment, and job support. However, as the military continues to incorporate simulation-based training into its curricula, the testbed environment, technology framework, and components (e.g., multimodal interface devices and embedded performance assessment metrics) are applicable to a wide variety of cognitive, psychomotor, and perceptual military skills currently trained within VEs that must be transferred to operational environments and retained over long periods of time. Such skills range from combat operations to medical procedures.
Keywords: Human Computer Interaction, Human Computer Interaction, Training, virtual environment, skill decay, Performance Assessment
