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Investigating the Effectiveness of Using Part-Task or Whole-Task Training Methods to Facilitate Mindful Abstraction in Uncertain Tasks

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Date Issued:
2018
Abstract/Description:
As the global landscape changes and powers rise and fall, the Contested, Degraded, and Operationally Limited (CDO) environment is likely to be the new normal going forward. Uncertainty variables, such as missing, false, or extra information characterize the CDO environment. A key focus of this dissertation is optimizing training for recognizing these uncertainty variables when training time is limited. This was investigated by either exposing participants to multiple uncertainty variables at a time with low doses of each (whole-task training), by exposing singular variables at a time with high doses (part-task training) or using no variables throughout training (control). A key motivator behind this research was Cognitive Load Theory, as mindful abstraction can only occur if there are cognitive resources to spare. Dependent variables, such as time to complete, number correct, task workload, and uncertainty variables identified, were collected.The results revealed that on the transfer task, the part-task condition recorded a significantly lower workload score than the whole-task (and control) condition, while the condition's workload scores were consistent across all training and transfer tasks. In contrast, the control and whole-task condition experienced significant increases in workload during the transfer task. Additionally, the part-task condition participants were able to significantly identify more uncertainty variables on the final task than the whole-task condition and control condition. The part-task condition found the transfer task to be the (")easiest(") in terms of workload, and as there is more opportunity for mindful abstraction if there are more cognitive resources available, it can be stated that based on these results, the part-task training schedule facilitated mindful abstraction more than the other two training schedules. As this was a limited, abstracted, and laboratory experiment, future work should apply the same methodology to applied tasks in a controlled environment to gauge further usefulness of this research.
Title: Investigating the Effectiveness of Using Part-Task or Whole-Task Training Methods to Facilitate Mindful Abstraction in Uncertain Tasks.
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Name(s): Killilea, John, Author
Martin, Glenn, Committee Chair
Sims, Valerie, Committee Member
Hirumi, Atsusi, Committee Member
Schatz, Sarah, Committee Member
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2018
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: As the global landscape changes and powers rise and fall, the Contested, Degraded, and Operationally Limited (CDO) environment is likely to be the new normal going forward. Uncertainty variables, such as missing, false, or extra information characterize the CDO environment. A key focus of this dissertation is optimizing training for recognizing these uncertainty variables when training time is limited. This was investigated by either exposing participants to multiple uncertainty variables at a time with low doses of each (whole-task training), by exposing singular variables at a time with high doses (part-task training) or using no variables throughout training (control). A key motivator behind this research was Cognitive Load Theory, as mindful abstraction can only occur if there are cognitive resources to spare. Dependent variables, such as time to complete, number correct, task workload, and uncertainty variables identified, were collected.The results revealed that on the transfer task, the part-task condition recorded a significantly lower workload score than the whole-task (and control) condition, while the condition's workload scores were consistent across all training and transfer tasks. In contrast, the control and whole-task condition experienced significant increases in workload during the transfer task. Additionally, the part-task condition participants were able to significantly identify more uncertainty variables on the final task than the whole-task condition and control condition. The part-task condition found the transfer task to be the (")easiest(") in terms of workload, and as there is more opportunity for mindful abstraction if there are more cognitive resources available, it can be stated that based on these results, the part-task training schedule facilitated mindful abstraction more than the other two training schedules. As this was a limited, abstracted, and laboratory experiment, future work should apply the same methodology to applied tasks in a controlled environment to gauge further usefulness of this research.
Identifier: CFE0007339 (IID), ucf:52119 (fedora)
Note(s): 2018-12-01
Ph.D.
Sciences, Dean's Office GRDST
Doctoral
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): part-task training -- whole-task training -- CDO environment -- contested -- operationally limited -- degraded -- transfer of training -- cognitive readiness -- open skills -- mindful abstraction -- high-road transfer
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007339
Restrictions on Access: public 2018-12-15
Host Institution: UCF

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