Intelligent Maintenance Training Technology

The Intelligent Maintenance Training System IMTS is a set of software tools for composing and delivering simulation-based technical training. The goal in developing IMTS was to generate instructional interactions from device models composed of instances of generic objects. Problem selection in IMTS relies on the use of a normative model that reflects the structure of the target device. Proficiency measures are maintained for each student in terms of this model and support the selection of problems of appropriate difficulty and type. IMTS incorporates a formulation of generic diagnostic expertise, termed Profile, that 1 explains the significance of particular test outcomes and remediates student beliefs about symptom implications, 2 recommends what to do next, taking completed tests into account, 3 assesses student proficiency, and 4 debriefs the student following each fault isolation exercise. A number of findings and recommendations are listed. The next steps for IMTS development are also outlined, including techniques for simulating devices whose complete functional behaviors cannot reasonably be specified and the addition of features to support procedural training.