Authenticity and cognitive modelling as design principles for a computer-based training to teach troubleshooting

The objective of this study was the further development and formative evalu ation of a computer based hypermedia system to train troubleshooting at com plex production systems. On the grounds of instructional design principles of the cognitive apprenticeship approach the authenticity of the hypermedia task environment was improved and cognitive modelling videos were develope d to teach effective diagnostic strategies to maintenance experts. The main reason for the further development of the training program were unsatisfyi ng results concerning the transfer of the diagnostic skills after a compute r based training with the old hypermedia system. In a formative evaluation of a first prototype of the new training program, 57 apprentices of electro technical vocations were involved. Research questions were (1): What effect does the cognitive modelling have on diagnostic problem of solving? (2): H ow is the authenticity of the new task environment judged by the users? (3) : How motivating is the learning and problem solving with the new computer- based training program.