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Investigating the Effectiveness of Using Part-Task or Whole-Task Training Methods to Facilitate Mindful Abstraction in Uncertain Tasks
Title
Investigating the Effectiveness of Using Part-Task or Whole-Task Training Methods to Facilitate Mindful Abstraction in Uncertain Tasks.
Creator
Killilea, John, Martin, Glenn, Sims, Valerie, Hirumi, Atsusi, Schatz, Sarah, University of Central Florida
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...
Show moreAs 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.
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Date Issued
2018
Identifier
CFE0007339, ucf:52119
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007339
Assessment of Terrain Database Correlation Using Line-Of-Sight Measurements
Title
Assessment of Terrain Database Correlation Using Line-Of-Sight Measurements.
Creator
Oyama, Leonardo, Goldiez, Brian, Kincaid, John, Graniela Ortiz, Benito, Martin, Glenn, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
The uncountable number of tools for the creation of synthetic terrains poses as a challenge for simulation interoperability. The permutations of tools, elevation maps, and software settings leads to combinations of poorly correlated virtual terrains. An important issue in distributed simulations is the lack of line-of-sight correlation. For example, in military networked simulations, consistent intervisibility between simulated entities is crucial for a fair-fight, especially when simulations...
Show moreThe uncountable number of tools for the creation of synthetic terrains poses as a challenge for simulation interoperability. The permutations of tools, elevation maps, and software settings leads to combinations of poorly correlated virtual terrains. An important issue in distributed simulations is the lack of line-of-sight correlation. For example, in military networked simulations, consistent intervisibility between simulated entities is crucial for a fair-fight, especially when simulations include direct-fire weapons. The literature review presented in the Chapter Two discusses a multitude of interoperability issues caused by discrepant terrain representations and rendering engines noncompliant to any standard image generation process. Furthermore, the literature review discusses past research that strived for measuring (or mitigating) the correlation issues between terrain databases. Based on previous research, this thesis proposes a methodology for analysis of line-of-sight correlation between a pair of terrain databases. All the mathematical theory involved in the methodology is discussed in the Chapter Three. In addition, this thesis proposes a new method for measuring the roughness of a visual terrain database. This method takes into account the 3D dispersion of the vectors normal to the polygons in the terrain's mesh. Because the vectors normal to the polygons are conveniently stored in most visual databases, the roughness calculation suggested here is fast and does not require sampling the terrain's elevation. In order to demonstrate the proposed method, twin terrain databases and a tool were created as part of this thesis. The goal of this tool is to extract data from the terrain databases for statistical analysis. The tool is open source and its source code is provided with this thesis. The Chapter Four includes an example of statistical analysis using an open source statistic software. The line-of-sight correlation analysis discussed here includes the terrain's geometry only (terrain's culture is not addressed). Human factors were not taken into consideration.
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Date Issued
2015
Identifier
CFE0005985, ucf:50792
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005985
Automatic Scenario Generation using Procedural Modeling Techniques
Title
Automatic Scenario Generation using Procedural Modeling Techniques.
Creator
Martin, Glenn, Hughes, Charles, Moshell, Jack, Fiore, Stephen, Orooji, Ali, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
Training typically begins with a pre-existing scenario. The training exercise is performed and then an after action review is sometimes held. This (")training pipeline(") is repeated for each scenario that will be used that day. This approach is used routinely and often effectively, yet it has a number of aspects that can result in poor training. In particular, this process commonly has two associated events that are undesirable. First, scenarios are re-used over and over, which can reduce...
Show moreTraining typically begins with a pre-existing scenario. The training exercise is performed and then an after action review is sometimes held. This (")training pipeline(") is repeated for each scenario that will be used that day. This approach is used routinely and often effectively, yet it has a number of aspects that can result in poor training. In particular, this process commonly has two associated events that are undesirable. First, scenarios are re-used over and over, which can reduce their effectiveness in training. Second, additional responsibility is placed on the individual training facilitator in that the trainer must now track performance improvements between scenarios. Taking both together can result in a multiplicative degradation in effectiveness. Within any simulation training exercise, a scenario definition is the starting point. While these are, unfortunately, re-used and over-used, they can, in fact, be generated from scratch each time. Typically, scenarios include the entire configuration for the simulators such as entities used, time of day, weather effects, entity starting locations and, where applicable, munitions effects. In addition, a background story (exercise briefing) is given to the trainees. The leader often then develops a mission plan that is shared with the trainee group. Given all of these issues, scientists began to explore more purposeful, targeted training. Rather than an ad-hoc creation of a simulation experience, there was an increased focus on the content of the experience and its effects on training. Previous work in scenario generation, interactive storytelling and computational approaches, while providing a good foundation, fall short on addressing the need for adaptive, automatic scenario generation. This dissertation addresses this need by building up a conceptual model to represent scenarios, mapping that conceptual model to a computational model, and then applying a newer procedural modeling technique, known as Functional L-systems, to create scenarios given a training objective, scenario complexity level desired, and sets of baseline and vignette scenario facets.A software package, known as PYTHAGORAS, was built and is presented that incorporates all these contributions into an actual tool for creating scenarios (both manual and automatic approaches are included). This package is then evaluated by subject matter experts in a scenario-based (")Turing Test(") of sorts where both system-generated scenarios and human-generated scenarios are evaluated by independent reviewers. The results are presented from various angles.Finally, a review of how such a tool can affect the training pipeline is included. In addition, a number of areas into which scenario generation can be expanded are reviewed. These focus on additional elements of both the training environment (e.g., buildings, interiors, etc.) and the training process (e.g., scenario write-ups, etc.).
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Date Issued
2012
Identifier
CFE0004265, ucf:49525
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004265
Assessing the Impact of Multi-variate Steering-rate Vehicle Control on Driver Performance in a Simulation Framework
Title
Assessing the Impact of Multi-variate Steering-rate Vehicle Control on Driver Performance in a Simulation Framework.
Creator
Xynidis, Michael, Morrow, Patricia Bockelman, Karwowski, Waldemar, Martin, Glenn, O'Neal, Thomas, Xanthopoulos, Petros, Mouloua, Mustapha, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description
When a driver turns a steering-wheel, he or she normally expects the vehicle's steering system to communicate an equivalent amount of signal to the road-wheels. This relationship is linear and occurs regardless of the steering-wheel's position within its rotational travel. The linear steering paradigm in passenger vehicles has gone largely unchanged since mass production of passenger vehicles began in 1901. However, as more electronically-controlled steering systems appear in conjunction with...
Show moreWhen a driver turns a steering-wheel, he or she normally expects the vehicle's steering system to communicate an equivalent amount of signal to the road-wheels. This relationship is linear and occurs regardless of the steering-wheel's position within its rotational travel. The linear steering paradigm in passenger vehicles has gone largely unchanged since mass production of passenger vehicles began in 1901. However, as more electronically-controlled steering systems appear in conjunction with development of autonomous steering functions in vehicles, an opportunity to advance the existing steering paradigms arises. The following framework takes a human-factors approach toward examining and evaluating alternative steering systems by using Modeling and Simulation methods to track and score human performance.Present conventional steering systems apply a linear relationship between the steering-wheel and the road wheels of a vehicle. The rotational travel of the steering-wheel is 900(&)deg; and requires two-and-a-half revolutions to travel from end-stop to opposite end-stop. The experimental steering system modeled and employed in this study applies a dynamic curve response to the steering input within a shorter, 225(&)deg; rotational travel. Accommodation variances, based on vehicle speed and steering-wheel rotational position and acceleration, moderate the apparent steering input to augment a more-practical, effective steering rate. This novel model follows a paradigm supporting the full range of steering-wheel actuation without necessitating hand repositioning or the removal of the driver's hands from the steering-wheel during steering maneuvers.In order to study human performance disparities between novel and conventional steering models, a custom simulator was constructed and programmed to render representative models in a test scenario. Twenty-seven males and twenty-seven females, ranging from the ages of eighteen to sixty-five were tested and scored using the driving simulator that presented two successive driving test vignettes: One vignette using conventional 900(&)deg; steering with linear response and the other employing the augmented 225(&)deg; multivariate, non-linear steering.The results from simulator testing suggest that both males and females perform better with the novel system, supporting the hypothesis that drivers of either gender perform better with a system augmented with 225(&)deg; multivariate, non-linear steering than with a conventional steering system. Further analysis of the simulated-driving scores indicates performance parity between male and female participants, supporting the hypothesis positing no significant difference in driver performance between male and female drivers using the augmented steering system. Finally, composite data from written questionnaires support the hypothesis that drivers will prefer driving the augmented system over conventional steering.These collective findings support justification for testing and refining novel steering systems using Modeling and Simulation methods. As a product of this particular study, a tested and open-sourced simulation framework now exists such that researchers and automotive designers can develop, as well as evaluate their own steering-oriented products within a valid human-factors construct. The open-source nature of this framework implies a commonality by which otherwise disparate research and development work can be associated.Extending this framework beyond basic investigation to reach applications requiring more-specialized parameters may even impact drivers having special needs. For example, steering-system functional characteristics could be comparatively optimized to accommodate individuals afflicted with upper-body deficits or limited use of either or both arms. Moreover, the combined human-factors and open-source approaches distinguish the products of this research as a common and extensible platform by which purposeful automotive-industry improvements can be realized(-)contrasted with arbitrary improvements that might be brought about predominantly to showcase technological advancements.
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Date Issued
2018
Identifier
CFE0007420, ucf:52706
Format
Document (PDF)
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007420