Influence of training schedule on development of perceptual-motor control skills for construction equipment operators

Xing Su, Purdue University

Abstract

Virtual Training Systems (VTSs) have emerged as alternative tools for construction equipment operator training, which could effectively reduce costs, avoid risks, and provide flexible environments for various training purposes. The personal computer-based simulator, a specific type of VTS, is being accepted by the market because of its convenience and a belief in its cost-effectiveness for replacing some of the training normally conducted on real equipment in a real environment. However, training principles for efficient utilization of these systems are still not well established. A benefit of a mixed practice schedule for perceptual-motor skills learning, which is known as an effect of contextual interference (CI), has been obtained in many domains. The present research compared performance of one group adopting a mixed practice schedule (with CI introduced) and another group employing a blocked practice schedule (without or with low CI introduced) on learning of construction excavator control skills through a virtual environment using a computer-based simulator. The performances during training and a final retention test were recorded and analyzed. No significant difference was found between the two groups with regard to ultimate skill levels and skill consistency. Thus, there was no advantage of the mixed practice schedule in this research. A possible reason for the failure to find a benefit from the mixed practice schedule is that the training task complexity created too much intra-task interference, which overrode the interference created by the mixed practice schedule.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Dunston, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Civil engineering|Occupational psychology|Vocational education

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