TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Human Systems
OBJECTIVE: Develop a computerized innovative interactive visual, audio, and kinesthetic training program that increases the speed of learning, comprehension, and performance aboard ships to better cross-train sailors quickly.
DESCRIPTION: The operation of modern warships is complicated. Sailors on board must be thoroughly trained before attempting to sail or fight with the advanced technologies embodied in the systems-of-systems that envelop the ship environment. The current trend is to reduce staffing to minimize risk and automate wartime functions with the help of computer-guided systems. Learning to operate these advanced systems effectively without a plan can be cost prohibitive, thus, the need for advanced training techniques is necessary. This topic is focused on finding the best combination of human interaction and computer-guided learning techniques to improve training. Coupled externally with existing combat system simulation systems, a human trainer will teach sailors how to effectively learn and operate advanced ship systems quickly and accurately using psychological training techniques. One primary output for this effort is a curriculum for training the trainer to enhance the use of existing computer simulation training. The target system is the human brain, and although it may be possible to read from a computer screen and learn, this effort is about reaching each individual and coaching him or her to reach the highest potential possible using capabilities of the subconscious mind. This topic is about accelerating learning and improving performance. It is not about replacing the existing training systems.
There are three major deliverables for this SBIR, not including the Phase I Final Report. 1) In Phase II the small business shall deliver a course curriculum training manual, in source text, such that the Navy can reproduce, update, extend and use for training courses of the future. 2) the small business will build and deliver a computer based training video which demonstrates core techniques with presentations depicting the use of psychological tools and extended techniques 3) small business will build and deliver an example training manual using the course curriculum template TBD representative topic for the Zumwalt class combat system. The goal is development of an effective set of methods and processes which will increase sailor learning speed, comprehension, and performance with the aid of advanced human behavioral techniques.
On board and underway the trainer will be crew member(s) who become experts at the training techniques. The Navy expects to be self-sufficient in this training task. Sailors will be trained to use their subconscious mind, akin to what is known as being in the zone - a concentration level or state modern athletes use when describing their enhanced abilities at the top of their game. By using psychological anchoring (a mental marker) for states of awareness, the operator will be calm, at a high state of functional awareness, and react at peak performance levels.
One potential technology is Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), which enables faster training and learning with better comprehension than previous training techniques. This method incorporates creating psychological anchors to assist individuals in learning. Cooperative learning is another successful teaching strategy in which small teams, each with students of different levels of ability, use a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject. Other technologies that address rapid training are encouraged to be applied to reach the best solution set.
The crux of this research effort is to discover how to accelerate learning using the subconscious mind in a military context. The results will provide metrics for determining the level of each trainees improvement during that session of training, and logged such that improvement metrics over time can be captured. The innovation sought will provide each trainee the ability to improve their training time efficiency and learning retention, and enhance their actual performance - all by a goal factor of two times or greater. By addressing the foundational skills at a deep level whereby the sailor can act nearly instinctively in his or her role, the Navy will have expanded capabilities and create an advantage that empowers the fighting force with expertise in their actions and supports fielding a precision team.
PHASE I: The company will identify and develop a concept for an improved teaching tool. The concept will explain in detail the technique to be employed through a description of how the particular behavioral patterns will be used to create the desired outcomes. The developed concept will explain what advances are to be gained by creating applications with stimulus and response patterns that act as psychological anchors for future behavior. Feasibility will be determined with testing metrics designed with control groups trained in the traditional manners of teaching. The outcomes based on testing will prove the efficacy of the methods used. A Phase I Option, if awarded, will develop a roadmap that will be required to show how this technology will be matured into a prototype. An initial layout and capabilities description will be provided in the Phase I Option.
PHASE II: Based on the Phase I results and the Phase II Statement of Work (SOW), the small business will develop and deliver a course curriculum training manual, in Microsoft Word source format, such that the Navy can reproduce, update, extend and use for training courses of the future processes, select an application within the combat system, and validate the new teaching tool as a prototype. The new teaching tool prototype should include 1) a training computer video (embedded in Microsoft Power Point) which includes core visual and audio presentations depicting the use of psychological training exercises and tools (for scaling and repeatability) with extended techniques delivered by a human trainer and 2) using the template course curriculum, the small business will build and deliver an example training manual using the course curriculum template representative topic for the Zumwalt class combat system. This template curriculum shall demonstrate the core technology processes with examples enabling the Navy to build advanced learning systems using the latest psychological techniques and tools. The delivery mechanism should be Microsoft Word, and include instructions and embedded training on how to build training courses with the technology, as there are many subsets of systems on board that require training. The prototype will be validated by showing it provides for accentuated learning and memory retention of individuals in a deep-learning state, which conditions the sailor for faster assimilation of information during learning exercises. The prototype will be delivered in Phase II ready to test with the Integrated Warfare System (IWS) 9.0 combat systems training program. The company will create plans for Phase III development.
PHASE III: The Navy will use the final technology to certify and test in IWS 9.0 combat systems. The small business shall demonstrate the ability to create a course curriculum for one or more combat system topics, also to be delivered in the Phase III segment of this SBIR. The small business will deliver the competencies required to perform training which will be passed on in train the trainer sessions for Navy personnel. Those newly trained individuals will assist in the validation, testing, and certification of the resulting training tool for Navy use, and will represent best knowledge on using the technology. The small business will support the Navy in implementing the training required to use the developed technology. Private Sector Commercial Potential: Learning techniques and improvements are helpful in almost any industry that teaches and instructs its employees or students. The technology will benefit the medical field as a cooperating learning aid for medical surgery, where skilled hands and extreme accuracy are paramount to success. Another likely candidate is manufacturing, where very exact tolerances are required for advanced assembly of components. Colleges and universities could change their curriculums to benefit their students with this technology.
REFERENCES: 1. Grinder, Michael. Righting the Educational Conveyor Belt. 2nd Edition. Portland, Oregon: Metamorphous Press. 1991.2. Beaver, Diana. NLP for Lazy Learning: How to Learn Faster and More Effectively. London, England: Collins & Brown. 2002.3. Bandler, Richard. Richard Bandlers Guide to Trance-Formation: How to Harness the Power of Hypnosis to Ignite Effortless and Lasting Change. Deerfield Beach, FL: Health Communications, Inc., 2008.-
KEYWORDS: Cross-Training; Speed Of Learning; Neuro Linguistic Programming; Cooperative Learning; Psychological Anchors; Techniques For The Subconscious Mind
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