Training Maintenance Technicians for Troubleshooting: Two Experiments with Computer Simulations

Abstract

Aviation maintenance trainees participated in two experiments designed to assess the relative effectiveness of traditional instruction versus two types of computer simulation in the context of aircraft power-plant troubleshooting. Simulations ranged in nature from abstract, context-free problems to those involving specific aircraft power plants. Traditional instruction included reading assignments, television programs tailored to aircraft power-plant troubleshooting, and on-line quizzes. The first experiment compared the three training methods, and the second considered a mixture of the two computer simulations versus traditional instruction. The primary conclusion was that an appropriate combination of low- and moderate-fidelity computer simulations can provide sufficient problem-solving experience to be competitive with the more traditional lectureldemonstration form of instruction.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Brown, J. S. , Burton, R. R. , and Bell, A. G. : SOPHIE: A step toward creating a reactive learning environment. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 1975, 7, 675–696.

Crooks, W. H. , Kuppin, M. A. , and Freedy, A. Application of adaptive decision aiding systems to computer-assisted instruction: Adaptive computerized training system. Arlington, VA: US Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, Technical Report No. PATR-1028-77-1, January, 1977.

Glaser, R. , Damrin, D. , and Gardner, F. M. The Tab Item: A technique for the measurement of proficiency in diagnostic problem solving tasks. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 1954, 14, 283–293.

Hunt, R. M. A study of transfer of problem solving skills from context-free to context-specific fault diagnosis tasks. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois, Coordinated Science Laboratory, Report No. T-82, July, 1979.

Hunt, R. M. , and Rouse, W. B. Problem-solving skills of maintenance trainees in diagnosing faults in simulated powerplants. Human Factors, 1981, 23, 317–328.

Johnson, W. B. Computer simulations in fault diagnosis training: An empirical study of learning transfer from simulation to live system performance. Dissertation Abstracts International, 1981. 41 (11), 4625–A. University Microfilms No. 8108555.

Johnson, W. B. , Rouse, S. H. , and Rouse, W. B. An annotated selective bibliography on human performance in fault diagnosis tasks. Arlington, VA: U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, Report No. TR-435, January, 1980. ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 192736.

Johnson, W. B. and Rouse, W. B. Analysis and classification of human errors in troubleshooting live aircraft power plants. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, 1982, in press.

Rasmussen, J. and Rouse, W. B. (Eds.) Human detection and diagnosis of system failures. New York: Plenum Press, 1981.

10.

Rigney, J. W. , Towne, D. M. , King, C. A. , and Moran, P. J. Field evaluation of generalized maintenance trainer simulator: I. Fleet communications system. Los Angeles, CA: University of Southern California, Behavioral Technology Laboratories, Report No. 89, 1978.

11.

Rouse, W. B. Problem solving performance of maintenance trainees in a fault diagnosis task. Human Factors, 1979, 21, 195–203. (a)

12.

Rouse, W. B. Problem solving performance of first semester maintenance trainees in two fault diagnosis tasks. Human Factors, 1979, 21, 611–618. (b)

13.

Standlee, L. S. , Popham, W. J. , and Fattu, N. A. A review of troubleshooting research. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University, Research Report No.3, December, 1956