Research for Training Technology

The Human Performance and Acquisition Assessment Branch (N-173) asked the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) to determine whether conversions of Navy courses to computerized self-paced format have decreased time to train, and, if so, whether these savings were achieved at the expense of students’ subsequent Navy success in C-School or later. To answer these questions, we analyzed the results of three A-School course conversions. We found that (1) converting courses to computerized self-paced format resulted in significant decreases in time to train (2) these savings were achieved with no apparent ill effects on students’ success in C-School or later Navy career progression (3) the Navy should expect that converting courses to computerized self-paced format will result in reductions in time to train of 10 to 30 percent, (4) decreases in time to train results in significant savings, both in man-years and monetary terms, (4) time awaiting transfer, after training, increased for some converted courses, (6) Navy Education and training should give priority to converting courses and content that have long course lengths and high student throughput. Further savings could occur by addressing the increase in time awaiting transfer (AT) that occurred after some courses.