Training Adaptability in Digital Skills: The Learning Skills Bridge (LSB) Learning Accelerator

The objective for this SBlR Phase II project was to increase the degree to which soldiers are able to apply classroom/computer-mediated training on-the-job and to capitalize on their present digital skills in the acquisition of new and changing digital skills. Aptima, Inc. and the Group for Organizational Effectiveness, Inc. used basic theories of learning transfer to create a two-module training package designed to increase digital skill adaptability. This Learning Skills Bridge learning accelerator training package (LSB) was pilot tested, revised, and re-tested. The study found that training designed to increase basic computer knowledge (e.g., the LSB) does result in learning transfer to the AFATDS. Specifically, the LSB training eliminated any group differences based on prior computer experience, and thus compensated for deficient computer experience. Also, participants scored significantly higher on the measures of AFATDS networks and AFATDS visualization and Mapping after LSB training than they did before the training. Further, 88.8% of participants reported that the LSB training improved their understanding of AFATDS. From these results it was concluded that generalizable, transferable digital skills taught in the context of device- and job-specific goals (such as with the LSB) has promise in increasing adaptability in the use of those digital skills.
Prepared in cooperation with Group for Organizational Effectiveness, Inc., Slingerlands, NY.