Land Navigation Skills Training: An Evaluation of Computer and Videodisc-Based Courseware

This research effort evaluated the training effectiveness of computer and videodisc-based courseware developed for training basic land navigation skills. The land navigation skills addressed by the courseware included the identification of natural terrain features, map-terrain association for orienting a map and determining a location, intersection, resection, and terrain analysis. The evaluation used a pretest-posttest design, and all training and tests were delivered on-line by the computer delivery system. Control conditions were included to ensure that improvements on posttest measures were due to training effectiveness rather than participants increased familiarity with test formats and the computer delivery system. Results for three of the tasks-- Intersection and Resection, Identify Terrain Features, and Terrain Analysis-- showed significant improvement in posttest performance and raised participants from a pretest also showed the courseware to be more efficient than conventional training methods and user friendly. For the other two tasks--Orient a Map and Determine Location by Map Terrain Association--courseware design modifications are needed and design recommendations are discussed.