Observation versus hands-on practice of complex skills in dyadic, triadic,and tetradic training-teams

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.