FUNCTIONAL AND APPEARANCE FIDELITY OF TRAINING DEVICES FOR FIXED-PROCEDURES TASKS

Twelve training devices of reduced fidelity were prepared. Several five-man groups were trained using each device, and then each man was given a proficiency test. Intelligence of trainees, teaching method, and instructor effects were statistically controlled. No significant differences in proficiency or length of training time were found to be associated with the training device used, regardless of degree of functional or appearance fidelity. As a field test under more realistic Army conditions, with military instructors and soldiers chosen at random, a low fidelity device was used to train one group while another group was instructed with high fidelity equipment. A comparison of proficiency levels and training times showed only chance differences between these two groups.