Team training: role of computers in the aircraft maintenance environment

Research on civil aircraft inspection and maintenance has shown the importa nce of teamwork in the aircraft maintenance environment. In addition, train ing has been identified as one of the primary intervention strategies in im proving team performance. With improvements in technology-based training de vices, it may be possible to provide aircraft maintenance technicians with training tools to help enhance their team skills and improve performance wi th the aircraft maintenance environment. This research examines the effecti veness and applicability of computer-based multimedia team training for air craft maintenance technicians. Using a computer-based multimedia training t ool-the Aircraft Maintenance Team Training (AMTT) software--a controlled st udy was conducted to: (1) evaluate the use of computers in acquiring knowle dge on team skills, (2) determine the ease of use of a computer-based multi media tool, and (3) determine if computer-based training was as effective a s traditional instructor-based training. The results are reported as part o f this paper. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.