Wl. Shebilske et al., Observation versus hands-on practice of complex skills in dyadic, triadic,and tetradic training-teams, HUMAN FACT, 40(4), 1998, pp. 525-540
We saved trainer time and resources by reducing hands-on practice in traini
ng-team protocols without reducing computer-based learning. During 1-h sess
ions, young adults learned Space Fortress, a video task that has been emplo
yed during pilot training. Observers (Experiment 1) learned more in 3 sessi
ons than did test-only trainees. Individuals, dyads, triads, and tetrads (E
xperiment 2) learned in 3 sessions with no differences in learning or inter
action between learning and protocol. Individuals, dyads, and tetrads (Expe
riment 3) learned in 10 sessions with no differences in learning or interac
tion between learning and protocol. As predicted by social learning theory,
observational learning seems to compensate for hands-on practice efficient
ly and effectively. Applications of this research have been developed for c
omputer-based group training of airline and air force pilots.