Patent Application
20110111385
Embodiments are generally related to training systems and methods. Embodiments also relate in general to the field of computers and similar technologies and, in particular, to software utilized in this field. Embodiments are additionally related to automated performance evaluation and feedback for training systems utilized in complex dynamic environments. Embodiments also relate to automated training content (e.g., curriculum) adjustment for training systems based on evaluated performance.
Training systems may be employed in the context of complex dynamic environments such as, for example, battlefield operations, emergency response management, process plant control, firefighting, and so forth. Most prior art training systems have been designed based on a model of presenting trainees with a manually preselected scenario, either in a real-world training setting or through a simulated or gaming environment that focuses on specific, predefined training objectives. Such training systems subsequently measure the trainee's actions and provide for post-hoc performance feedback during a training intervention session with respect to the tasks that are required to accomplish particular role responsibilities. Frequently, automated feedback is augmented with additional input from a human trainer who is executing the training.
Additional training scenarios may then be manually selected by a human trainer from the scenario pool to further measure and evaluate the trainee's skills based on a refined training objective. Such a performance evaluation approach requires manual intervention and does not provide precise and succinct feedback. Also, the performance evaluation in such training systems is elaborate, expensive, time consuming, prone to human and system errors, and evaluator bias. Typically, the training content selection and curriculum readjustment are not automated or dynamically adjusted in real-time based on the training objective and the trainee's performance. In addition, the feedback may be delayed, often out of context and poorly targeted.
Based on the foregoing, it is believed that a need exists for an improved automated training system and method based on performance evaluation for providing a precise and succinct automated real-time feedback. A need also exists for automatically readjusting a training scenario based on the evaluated performance metrics, as described in greater detail herein.
The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the disclosed embodiments and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
It is, therefore, one aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for an improved automated training system and method.
It is another aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for an improved automated training system and method based on performance evaluation, which provides precise and succinct automated real-time feedback.
It is a further aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for an improved training system and method for automated real-time training, performance evaluation, real-time feedback, and training intervention with dynamic curriculum adjustment based on evaluated performance metrics.
The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. An automated training system and method based on performance evaluation is disclosed, which provides for a precise and succinct automated real-time feedback. A training scenario that focuses on specific training objectives may be decomposed into a set of vignettes and then dynamically arranged in a logical sequence to provide training for specific high level skills. A scenario may be made up vignettes and each vignette may be referred to as a “scene” or may be composed of one or more such scenes. Each vignette follows a script (e.g., made up of several tasks) with a predetermined level of task complexity and can be employed to train one or more specific low level skills that are critical to task accomplishment and contribute to the development of one or more high-level skills. Performance metrics juxtaposed over a task demand may be automatically computed utilizing latency and accuracy measurements associated with a particular trainee action. Note that the term accuracy as utilized herein may relate to the correctness of an action with respect to the task demand. Latency, on the other hand, may relate to the duration elapsed from the time the task demand arises to the time the relevant response/action was performed.
Performance data may be automatically gathered and evaluated utilizing the measured performance metrics. This performance data can also be compared with baseline performance metrics collected from subject matter experts for the same vignette. Thereafter, contextual feedback information may be automatically organized and provided to the trainee in real-time superimposed with baseline performance metrics. The training objectives, the trainee's performance metrics, and feedback data can be utilized to automatically select an appropriate training intervention, which may then be provided to the trainee. A functional feedback component may be employed to visualize the feedback data and record all performance related data in a database for future analysis.
The disclosed automated training system architecture generally includes a vignette library, a curriculum manager module, a performance evaluation module, a feedback functional module, and a curriculum adjustment module. The vignette library comprises of many vignettes that vary in skill and complexity and may be utilized to train for varying low level skills that gradually build toward acquisition of a higher level skill. This vignette library may be added incrementally, so that new situations can be introduced to trainees rapidly, and automatically, by the curriculum manager. The ability to add to the vignette library contributes to the “on the fly nature” of the disclosed embodiments.
Initially, the curriculum manager module may select a default vignette with respect to a targeted skill. The default vignette is interpreted to initialize a time window with respect to any desirable trainee action that is expected to occur within the vignette. Typically, each vignette generally contains multiple time windows that relate to specific tasks. A time window opens at the earliest opportunity to perform a task and then closes when that opportunity ceases to exist. Initial attributed values are then loaded with respect to various objects that are described by the vignette and will be manipulated by the trainee in the training exercise. The performance evaluation module interfaces with a simulation environment and correlates the trainee actions and task demands within the simulation environment to track the status and attributes of various objects.
The feedback module automatically provides the appropriate automated real-time contextual feedback to the trainee and then identifies and highlights instances associated with the performance of the trainee. The trainee can provide additional input using the feedback module based on their subjective perception of how well they performed after the vignette execution completes. The trainee's self assessment would be used to compare their subjective self assessment against an objectively evaluated assessment and provide feedback to improve their situation awareness. The trainee can also provide additional input on the workload using the feedback module. In addition to this, a trainer is also permitted to provide input after the vignette completes. Both trainee and trainer inputs can be presented to the trainee during the training intervention.
The feedback module may also be utilized to record and store the trainee's performance metrics in a persistent database for future review and analysis. That is, baseline metrics and other performance metrics may be calculated, including data indicative of baselining an individual against peers of the same class, and so forth. Such metrics are then stored in the persistent database for later retrieval and analysis.
The computed skills profile, along with the training objectives, can be employed to provide appropriate training intervention to the trainee to improve the performance of a targeted skill. After completion of the current vignette, the curriculum adjustment module dynamically selects an appropriately challenging follow-up vignette based on the trainee's skills profile and training objectives and automatically presents that vignette to the trainee. The process described herein can be repeated until the trainee meets the desired performance level for the targeted skills.
Such an approach provides for the dynamic and automated presentation of a focused training curriculum that targets specific skills based on particular training objectives. The disclosed automated training system and method additionally can be employed to enhance a trainee's learning experience by allowing a flexible method of curriculum (vignette) enhancement, facilitating objective performance evaluation, avoiding evaluator bias during the performance evaluation process, providing contextual real-time and automated performance feedback, streamlining training by focusing of deficient skills and bypassing mastered skills, and improving skill retention. Such a training system and method additionally assists in lowering costs, reducing human and system errors, and compressing training time.
The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.
The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one of the disclosed embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.
The disclosed embodiments automatically provide real-time training, performance evaluation, and feedback and dynamic curriculum adjustment in association with a complex dynamic environment such as, for example, battlefield operations, emergency management, process plant control, firefighting, and so forth. The approach described herein can provide feedback and evaluation data that can then be utilized to counsel and evaluate trainees.
As illustrated in
The following discussion is intended to provide a brief, general description of suitable computing environments in which the system and method may be implemented. Although not required, the disclosed embodiments will be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a single computer.
Generally, program modules include, but are not limited to, routines, subroutines, software applications, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types and instructions. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosed method and system may be practiced with other computer system configurations such as, for example, hand-held devices, multi-processor systems, data networks, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, networked PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, servers, and the like.
Note that the term module as utilized herein may refer to a collection of routines and data structures that perform a particular task or implements a particular abstract data type. Modules may be composed of two parts: an interface, which lists the constants, data types, variable, and routines that can be accessed by other modules or routines; and an implementation, which is typically private (accessible only to that module) and includes source code that actually implements the routines in the module. The term module may also simply refer to an application such as a computer program designed to assist in the performance of a specific task such as word processing, accounting, inventory management, etc.
The interface 153, which is preferably a graphical user interface (GUI), can serve to display results, whereupon a user may supply additional inputs or terminate a particular session. In some embodiments, operating system 151 and interface 153 can be implemented in the context of a “Windows” system. It can be appreciated, of course, that other types of operating systems and interfaces may be alternatively utilized. For example, rather than a traditional “Windows” system, other operation systems such as, for example, Linux may also be employed with respect to operating system 151 and interface 153. The software application 152 can include an automated performance training module that can be adapted for providing a closed human-in-the-loop training with an exposure to training scenarios, automated performance evaluation, automated real-time feedback and training intervention, and dynamic curriculum adjustment based on an evaluated performance metrics. Module 152 can be adapted for evaluating the performance objectively to provide precise and succinct automated real-time feedback. Software application module 152, on the other hand, can include instructions such as the various operations described herein with respect to the various components and modules described herein such as, for example, the methods 700 and 800 depicted respectively in
In the depicted example, server 304 and server 306 connect to network 302 along with storage unit 308. In addition, clients 310, 312, and 314 connect to network 302. These clients 310, 312, and 314 may be, for example, personal computers or network computers. Data-processing system 100 depicted in
In the depicted example, server 304 provides data such as boot files, operating system images, and applications to clients 310, 312, and 314. Clients 310, 312, and 314 are clients to server 304 in this example. Network data processing system 300 may include additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown. Specifically, clients may connect to any member of a network of servers which provide equivalent content.
In the depicted example, network data processing system 300 is the Internet with network 302 representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use computer communication network protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial, government, educational, and other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course, network data processing system 300 may also be implemented as a number of different types of networks such as, for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).
The description herein is presented with respect to particular embodiments of the present invention, which may be embodied in the context of a data-processing system such as, for example, data-processing system 100 and computer software system 150 illustrated with respect to
System 400 additionally includes one or more trainee(s) 490 in addition to the incorporation of a gaming environment or module 480. As indicated in
The curriculum manager module 425 selects a default vignette with respect to a targeted skill. Each vignette can be broken down into a set of tasks that represent a time window for the trainee during which the trainee performs a particular action or task. Such time windows may be represented and interpreted through the use of a TDL (Time window Definition Language) 415 utilizing a TDL parser 420 in order to initialize time windows that may exist for a trainee 490 in a specific vignette. The reconciliation engine 410 (e.g., a module) initializes a time window component 440, a trainee action component 430, and a time window management system 445, which loads initial attributed values with respect to various objects. The time window component 440 receives data from the TDL parser and the trainee action component 430. Data output from the trainee action component 430 and the time window component 440 can be supplied as input data to the time window management system 445.
The reconciliation engine 410 may initialize a game I/O (Input/output) module plug-in 475, which generally interfaces with the gaming/simulation environment or module 480 through a network connection such as, for example, the network 302 and system 300 depicted in
The time window management system 445 correlates actions of the trainee(s) 490 and task demands within the gaming environment 480 to track the status and attributes of various objects. The current vignette may then be exited or paused when a decision is made to provide for training intervention via the training intervention module 470 in the middle or at the end of the current vignette. Specific performance metrics associated with the trainee 490 may be computed based on the training objectives and trainee's actions utilizing a PCS (Performance Computation System) module 455, which forms a part of the feedback engine 450. The feedback engine 450 additionally includes a performance archive component 460 and a trainee feedback and visualization component 465.
The PCS module 455 receives data from the time window management module 445 and generates data, which is supplied as input to the performance archive component 460 and the trainee feedback and visualization component 465. The PCS 455 generally creates a skill profile for the trainee 490 based on his or her measured performance metrics. As indicated previously, a skill profile may be compiled with respect to a particular trainee. Such a computed skill profile can be utilized to provide an appropriate recommendation regarding possible training intervention via training intervention module 470 in order to improve the skills of the trainee 490. The trainee 490 can be automatically provided with real-time feedback through the trainee feedback and visualization module 465 associated with the feedback engine 450. Feedback can be provided to the trainee 490 to identify the performance of the trainee 490.
The trainee's performance metrics may be stored in a persistent database 485 via the performance archive component 460 for future review and analysis. The computed skills profile can be utilized to provide appropriate recommendations regarding an appropriate training intervention by training intervention module 470 that must be provided to the trainee 490 to improve his or her particular skill. Note that feedback data provided to the trainee 490 from the trainee feedback and visualization module 465 is processed by a report generator and visualization plug-in module 495 and then transmitted to the training intervention module 470, which then processes such data and transmits processed data to the trainee 490.
The trainee feedback and visualization module 465 can generate and display via a display device (e.g., display device 106) an instant vignette video replay of, for example, the last 30-60 seconds of the previous vignette after the training is completed to improve the trainee's vignette comprehension, if the vignette is paused to provide the training intervention. The trainee feedback and visualization module 465 can also provide additional feedback to the trainee 490 based on their self rating of performance within a specific vignette as well as their perceived workload, if that information is collected. The trainee feedback and visualization module 465 can also provide additional feedback to the trainee 490 based on the trainer's rating of his or her performance within a specific vignette, if that information is collected.
The computer system architecture of system 400 permits the trainee 490 to improve performance through targeted feedback. Note that a high-level video review of one or more training vignettes may be generated and displayed for the trainee 490 as a part of the feedback to the targeted trainee to provide a broader perspective that could be obtained by simply a first person point of view. That is, the trainee's self assessment could be utilized to compare his or her subjective self assessment against an objectively evaluated assessment and provide feedback to improve his or her situational awareness.
Feedback may then be analyzed to automatically provide training specific to the information processing stages of cognition 510, as indicated at block 580. The human performance 515 can be measured by analyzing the time window(s) 565. The human performance 515 may also be evaluated utilizing the data reconciliation engine 410. The performance evaluation can be automated (in an objective manner) utilizing a framework that tracks the accuracy and latency of a trainee's action with respect to the time windows of opportunity that exist for these specific actions to be executed. Thereafter, the feedback can be provided through real time visualization of actual performance or through a trainee's action reports, as illustrated at block 575. Finally, the training can be provided “on the fly” based on skill and strategy, as indicated at block 585.
The performance of the trainee 490 may be measured with respect to a particular time utilizing time windows such as TW1, TW2 . . . TWA. Note that the acronym “TW” as depicted in
If the trainee 490 is not performing in the standby mode, the most recent vignette can be executed once again based on the feedback provided by the feedback functional module 465. Otherwise, a determination can be made as to whether all training scenarios have been completed, as depicted at block 750. If all the scenarios are complete, then the training session may be terminated, as depicted at block 770. Otherwise, the trainee 490 may perform the next vignette with higher complexity, which may then be designated as the most recent scene, as illustrated at block 760. The performance details of the trainee 490 can be stored in the database 485.
A vignette library that varies in skill and complexity can be created, as illustrated at block 810. The vignette can then be integrated in a dynamic logical sequence to create a scenario 405, as depicted in block 820. Thereafter, the default scene for the targeted skill may be selected, as indicated at block 830. The default scene can be interpreted utilizing a TDL parser 420 to initialize time windows of opportunity for actions associated with the trainee 490, as illustrated at block 840. The gaming environment 380 can be interfaced utilizing the performance evaluation module 455 and the performance data can be obtained, as depicted at block 850. Note that the vignette library can be added incrementally so that new situations can be introduced to trainees rapidly and automatically by a curriculum manager, thereby promoting the “on the fly” nature of the disclosed embodiments.
Next, the skill profile associated with the trainee 490 can be created by the performance archive component 460 based on the evaluated performance data, as indicated at block 860. The appropriate real time contextual feedback can be provided to the trainee 490 via the feedback functional module 465 associated with the feedback engine 450, as illustrated at block 870. The trainee performance metrics can be stored in the database 485 for future review and analysis, as depicted at block 875. Thereafter, an appropriate training intervention 470 can be provided to the trainee 490 to improve performance on targeted skill, as indicated at the block 880. Finally, an appropriate follow up scene can be selected and automatically presented to the trainee 490 based on the training objectives and the trainee skills profile, as depicted at block 890. The training can then be repeated until the trainee 490 is sufficiently trained in the targeted skill, as shown at block 895.
The performance evaluation can be automated utilizing a framework that tracks the accuracy and latency of the trainee's action with respect to the temporal windows of opportunity that exist for the specific actions to be executed. The training curriculum can be adapted based on the evaluated performance metrics. Such an approach provides a dynamic and automated presentation of focused training curriculum that target the specific skills based on the training objectives. The automated training system 400 enhances the trainee's 490 learning experience by facilitating objective performance evaluation, avoiding evaluator bias during the performance evaluation process, providing contextual real-time performance feedback, and improving skill retention. Such training system 400 also helps lower costs, reduce human and system errors, compress training time, and eliminates wastage.
It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also, that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
