Dynamic problem selection in air traffic control training: a comparison between performance, mental effort and mental efficiency

The differential effects on training and training outcome of four methods o f problem selection were investigated in a computer-based training for air traffic control. In one method. training problems were given to the partici pants in a fixed predetermined sequence. from simple to complex. In the oth er methods, problems were selected dynamically. based oil three different l earner variables. These were mental effort, performance and mental efficien cy, which is a variable that combines mental effort and performance measure s to determine problem efficiency. After the training, transfer was measure d, The hypothesis that dynamic problem selection would lead to more efficie nt training than non-dynamic problem selection was confirmed. The second hy pothesis, that dynamic problem selection based oil mental efficiency would lead to more efficient training and better transfer than dynamic problem se lection based on performance or mental effort alone was not supported. Howe ver, the efficiency measures of the three variables were distorted by the d ifferential effects of these variables on the acquisition phase. A possible explanation for the results is that selection based on performance stimula tes rule automation, whereas selection based on mental effort or mental eff iciency leads to schema acquisition. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.