Conventional Training Versus Game-Based Training

This proposal outlines a plan to create a toolkit consisting of: 1. A methodology derived from theory and research on human performance training (HPT), research on learning, and instructional design; 2. A 3D taxonomy/matrix that maps training objectives and learning processes with game characteristics, in order to guide decision-making processes for choosing and using specific game-based training approaches; 3. Guidelines for using the methodology and taxonomy/matrix to choose game-based training solutions, or to design new games and/or approaches; and 4. A prototype tool that provides guidance for developing game-based training solutions and calculating return on investment. BENEFITS: The primary benefits of our development path are that the Navy and the Department of Defense will be provided with means to evaluate and select appropriate training modes among conventional and game-based approaches that will find application in all the Services. Commercialization within the Navy and other components of DoD will be driven by the need to select training modalities appropriate to learning objectives, cost- benefit, and other factors. On the commercial side, there is high demand for flexible training products that have been proven in the military domain, and we will target this market based on opportunities identified during Phase I.