Re: Advanced topics

CRMWILSON_at_aol.com
Fri, 25 Jul 1997 05:32:51 -0400 (EDT)


Vince,
I agree with your comments about structure, content, methods, and devices.
The development of a course (learning objectives, etc.) was where I focused
my earlier comments. Surely, other elements of development bear equal weight
in the final analysis. Think of a great mythical course that I just designed.
>From most perspectives it looks good. It is slick, uses the latest graphics,
has lots of good buzz words, and is presented in the top 10% of the
technology available. But it has one problem, the students think the subject,
or the material, or the content is below them, not for them, or above their
heads. I might as well use the course as a paper weight.
I'd like to see your paper on CRM and ISD. Our courses are all products of
the ISD process. (A process I would like to understand better). I do not know
that ISD is the answer, but it is A method of an organized approach to course
development. Without organization in the development of a CRM program, I'd
say the chances of it's success are near or at zero.

Our delivery methods involve seminars, lectures, and simulator missions. The
sim misssions are designed to allow the crews to apply what they have seen,
heard, and learned in the classroom. Post mission debriefings, augmented by
video of the mission, help to cement the lessons learned. Most debriefings
are self-critiques by the crew members themselves, with the instructors
facilitating the discussions.The seminars include case studies, war stories
from the students and facilitators, exercises, and discussion. The seminars
are presented in an open forum with the students encouraged and, may I say,
maneuvered into participation. The methods of presentation for each segment
of training was determined by an objective/subjective process of ISD
consideration (the media selection process) and subject matter expert input
with heavy reliance on the latter. We update and change the program based on
feedback from the students, their supervisors, and our own observations.

It ain't perfect, but it seems to be working pretty well.

Cheers,

Dave Wilson
HTI