Technology Assisted Learning

Research Activities

Explored technology assisted learning methodologies for identifying approaches to improving learning and training effectiveness. Stressed cost-effective, technology-enhanced innovations in the design, development, delivery, evaluation, and management of training and education. Focused on methodologies that provide measurable learning improvements, attack specific objectives assigned to students, and apply to multiple learning situations.=

Evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a virtual reality maintenance training program. Considered cognitive knowledge gain, affect towards learning environment, group dynamics, and effect of training in this virtual environment on testing using live and constructive environments. Included in design of experiment investigation into the role of experience and effects = on optimal training environment.

Worked on an intelligent tutoring technical base by closing the feed= back loop between student results and suggested remediation. A remediation algor= ithm accepts students' after-action review results, course performance measures,= and student results and makes recommendations on what lessons or lesson 'chunks' students should run to correct deficiencies in their performance.

Explored augmented cognition and user-sensing technologies for simulation training systems. Research objectives were to establish an initial suite of sensing systems suitable for observing potential physiolog= ical correlates of cognition, stress, and immersion during simulation-based training; verify data collection systems and processes during a controlled training experience; deploy a data collection system for collecting observations during an uncontrolled training experience; and process the acquired data, reformat for analyses, and investigate possible correlates between physiological measures and the training experience.

Managed project to provide multimedia on the effect of blood alcohol lev= el on driving and neurobiology in support of a middle-school program focus= ed on the brain. The application allows students to see how increased blood alcohol levels affect the body, cellular functions, and reaction time.

Selected Publications=

Hubal, R.C., Helms, R.F., & Triplett, S.E. (1997). Advanced learning environments. Proceedings of the Industry/Interservice Training Systems and Education Conference (pp. 79-86). Arlington, VA: National Defense Industrial Association.

Frank, G., Whiteford, B., Hubal, R., Sonker, P., Perkins, K., Arnold, P., Presley, T., Jones, R., & Meeds, H. (2004). Performance assessment for distributed learning using aft= er action review reports generated by simulations. Proceedings of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (pp. 808-817). Arlington, VA: National Defense Industrial Association.

Hubal, R. (2005). Design and usability of military maintenance skills simul= ation training systems. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Socie= ty Annual Meeting (pp. 2110-2114). Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonom= ics Society.

Evens, N., Whiteford, B., Frank, G., & Hubal, R. (2006). User interface lessons learned from distributed simulations. Proceedings of = the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (pp. 1276-1285). Arlington, VA: National Defense Industrial Association.

Frank, G.A., & Hubal, R.C. (2008). Bias inoculation advanced simulation (BIAS) training. Proceedings of the Behavior Representation in Modeling and Simulation conference. Orlando, FL: Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization= .

Hubal, R., & Frank, G. (2008). Enticing mistakes: A strategy within simulation training of soft skills. Proceed= ings of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference = (pp. 57-66). Arlington, VA: National Defense Industrial Association.

Krizowsky, P., Waters, H., Wright, M., Hubal, R., & Frank, G. (2008). Dynamically configured scenarios for training adaptive network system operators. Proceedings of the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (pp. 1392-1399). Arlington, VA: National Defense Industrial Association.

Hubal, R. (2009). Between- and within-subjects experiences with desktop simulations. Proceedings of the Workshop on Users' Preferences Regarding Intelligent User Interfaces: Differences among Users and Changes over Time.= New York, NY: ACM Press.