Mixed reality Adaptive Scaffolding Tool for Enhancing Readiness (MASTER)

An area in dire need of training innovation is that of ship maintenance, which represents one of the Navy’s most acute readiness concerns. Reduced crew ships such as the CVN-78 provide inherently fewer opportunities for On the Job Training (OJT). Additionally, naval ship maintenance experts are retiring, with no mechanisms in place to transfer their tacit knowledge to future sailors. Some attempts have been made to utilize virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology advances to provide high fidelity training and job aids; however, these solutions lack a scientifically-grounded pedagogical basis to guide design decisions. Design Interactive (DI) proposes to build on the Phase I Mixed reality Adaptive Scaffolding Tool for Enhancing Readiness (MASTER), to develop and validate 1) a scientifically-grounded MASTER unified pedagogical model to guide extended reality (xR)-based instruction design 2) an EXpertise TRansfer, Analytics, and Content Tagging (EXTRACT) methodology and AR-based tool for capturing expert knowledge, 3) a classroom-based training module, and 4) a ship-based AR training module for OJT and job support. These technologies will provide scientifically grounded and consistent training across the progression from novice to expert, improving maintainer readiness and performance throughout the training continuum, “from desks to decks.”