Computerized Simulation

Advances in computer and digital technology have enabled the combination of many different types of media for instructional use. This includes text, sound, video, graphics, animation, and at the high end--virtual reality simulation environments. The use of simulators in training has become more prevalent, particularly for safety-critical systems. Simulators can take several forms:

• Part-Task Simulation - As the name implies, these simulators provide instruction on only a part of the whole job or task. Full systems simulation is usually expensive and limited in the number of trainees that can be accommodated at one time. An alternate approach is to use part-task simulators. Usually, after successful completion of the "parts," the trainee proceeds to the full systems simulator(s) where learning of the "parts" is put together by instruction and practice on the whole task.

  Part task simulators are used in pilot training, medical training, and widely used in maintenance training. Use of part-task simulation requires determining how the part-task training will be sequenced and integrated with other task training and the instructional program as a whole. The goal is for trained part-tasks to be seamlessly integrated into successful performance on the whole job/task.