"Soldiers entering the U.S. Army today encounter an array of weapons, equipment, and technologies that require information-age, digital skills. As these unique digital systems evolve, trainers are challenged to prepare soldiers to leverage these systems to meet complex and sometimes unanticipated, missions. In order to gain a better understanding of digital skill training, one group of soldiers was followed for almost a year as they experienced Advanced Individual Training, New Equipment Training, and unit training that covered one major hardware/software change and three software upgrades. Findings are based on observations, surveys, and performance on practical exercises. Results identify several misperceptions regarding the acquisition of digital skills and recommendations for modifying training to improve skill acquisition and transfer. For example, digital skills may not be highly perishable. Soldiers retain what they learned during Advanced Individual Training for at least three- to-four months, but many encounter difficulty in transferring what they have learned to a different problem setting. Training that engages the soldier by embedding the experience in a real-world context that requires active problem solving can enhance transfer."--DTIC.

"Variations in computer-based training (CBT) procedures were compared in training the skills and knowledge required of a prototype map interface for the Land Warrior system. Soldiers from four Infantry courses participated, representing the chain of command within an Infantry platoon, from platoon leader to rifleman. Soldiers were first trained on codes that uniquely identified individuals and units on the map. Then soldiers learned how to use map functions such as pan, zoom, determine range, and find individuals and units. Lessons that contained a large volume of information before soldiers could apply that information and commit it to memory resulted in low scores on both the code and map exercises. Breaking: up the content into smaller chunks of information tended to be more effective. Although soldiers who learned the map on their own via an exploratory condition had the lowest map performance, exploratory learning may have potential as these soldiers spent relatively little time 'exploring'. The results demonstrate the importance of adapting to individual differences in the learning rate of soldiers. They also provide insights regarding how to design effective and efficient CBT for digital systems."--DTIC.

Military capability is delivered operationally at a team and collective level, be it a unit as small as a squad or section, or as large as a maritime task group. Modern military forces are required to deal with a potentially wide range of missions frequently involving multiple alliance partners, within a geopolitical environment which can seem to change rapidly. Individual performance, while being important, is not the primary determinant of mission success - force integration, interoperability, adaptability and teamwork are key factors. Team and collective training which fully addresses these factors is fundamental to the development and delivery of military capability. As a consequence, the requirement to determine training requirements and specify effective systems for the delivery of team and collective training is critical to operational success. Training Needs Analysis (also known as Front End Analysis), is a well-established methodology for analysing training requirements and specifying training solutions used extensively by the UK and its NATO partners. However, the analytical techniques employed are optimised for individual training, with little guidance being offered on its application in the team and collective context. Team and Collective Training Needs Analysis (TCTNA) has been developed to close this methodological gap. It addresses the issues of the relationship of individual and team tasks, teamwork, command and control, task and training environments, scenario definition, instructional strategy, team training approaches, instructional functions, and wide-ranging organisational and procurement considerations. Part One of the book develops an integrated set of models which underpin the analytical approach presented in Part Two. Worked examples and case studies illustrate the application of the approach. Between 2005 and 2015 the authors worked on numerous training-related research projects at Cranfield University and Coventry University for the Human Factors Integration Defence Technology Centre and the Defence Human Capability Science and Technology Centre on behalf of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, UK Ministry of Defence.

Throughout the educational industry the need to comprehend and navigate the profound transformations underway in the realm of continuing education remains a pressing challenge. As technological advancements accelerate at an unprecedented pace, traditional educational systems are being upended, leaving educators grappling with many questions. The emergence of digital technologies in education introduces a host of complex issues and opportunities. One such opportunity is the application of technologies that can address important issues and open new horizons for those that teach. > At the forefront of academic exploration and innovation is Embracing Technological Advancements for Lifelong Learning, a book of robust research covering an era where the digital revolution is reshaping education. This book brings insights into in-depth investigations of how digital technologies are transforming the landscape of continuing education. It delves deep into the strategies, resources, and best practices that organizations can harness to unlock the full potential of digital transformation. Covering a wide spectrum of issues, from e-learning platforms to virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence to mobile learning, this book is a comprehensive guide that showcases the real-world impact of digital transformation through compelling case studies and actionable ideas.

Army transformation requires soldiers who can use information-age digital skills to accomplish tasks and to do essential coordination with others. The objective of this research was to gain insights on best practices for training; this was accomplished by interviewing soldiers currently trained on and using the Army's most advanced digital technology. Sixty-two operators of Army Battle Command Systems (ABOS) answered questionnaires and participated in interviews that addressed the soldiers' perspectives on how best to capitalize on training to meet the demands of the current Army and the Army of the future. Findings showed that soldiers desire and need additional training on how to integrate their digital systems to accomplish their Army mission. They want this training to be hands on, scenario based, and in a full job flow sequence. Soldiers noted difficulties with different digital systems communicating with each other, which degrades situational awareness. Another concern was the dependence on contract personnel to maintain and troubleshoot equipment. This snapshot of the current state of digital training in U.S. Army units provides insights from the users' perspective that highlights preferred and advantageous training practices.