Scenario-Based Interactive and Reusable Learning Object: Virtual LOFT
The Challenge
Students in an undergraduate level course AT360: Crew Resource Management (pseudonym) range from freshmen to seniors. This is part of a degree program preparing students for a career as professional aviators. Course learning objectives target developing students’ practical skills including risk analysis and management through threat and error identification and management supporting on-the-job performance post-graduation.
To support skill development, students need to engage in activities that develop their information-gathering and decision-making skills as well as build confidence (principles found in Crew Resource Management). How can we use low-risk scenario-based learning activities to support students in threat and error identification and management and further develop their decision-making skills?
Work Description
An interactive PowerPoint (PPT) project was developed using the structure found in an industry standard evaluation method – the Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT) event as a framework. The PPT project made use of license-free clip art, stock photos, text boxes, and graphics to create a realistic and logical flight segment from A to B including a cast of characters such as pilots, flight attendants, passengers, etc. A series of buttons and links were used to help participants move through the scenario. To allow for more stable interactivity requiring only an internet connection, the PPT project was uploaded to iSpring e-learning software. A link was provided to students in the course’s learning management system.
The participant was provided with relevant background information at the beginning of the scenario and then allowed to make decisions at branching points. The background information and decisions presented were appropriate to the participant’s knowledge and skill level based on a learner analysis. Feedback and coaching were provided to the participant based on their selections to show consequences of less optimal decisions or support students in making better decisions. This reinforced improved decision-making skills and built confidence through participation.
It was emphasized that there were no right or wrong answers in this digital exercise. Students could go back and make different choices as many times as they would like to see the feedback and outcome of each type of decision. The goal of this exercise was allow students to experience a LOFT-type training event that they will encounter in their work as commercial aviators, engage in a typical flight from preflight to parking at the gate, and manage some of the problems that may occur during a “typical day.”
Samples
Students encountered real world problems in the LOFT scenario.
Students were provided with relevant background information to support decision making.
Students were asked to make decisions. These decision points would guide the scenario’s outcome.
Methods/Technology Employed
- MS PowerPoint
- iSpring
- License-free creative commons clip art/photographs
Theoretical Foundations
- Federal Aviation Administration’s Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT)
- Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory
- Mezirow’s Transformational Learning Theory
- Adult Learning Theory
What I Learned
Let them do!
It is easy to talk about making decisions in a dynamic environment like flight operations. However, it is much more effective to let participants do this by including branching scenarios that require the participant to make decisions. Based on these decisions, each participant was provided with immediate feedback that included coaching and reinforcement for good decisions or explanations for less optimal decisions. These decision-making opportunities included elements such as weather, regulatory challenges, customer service issues, and safety-rooted problems in scenarios that were realistic and found in the real-world on-the-job.
Student feedback from this activity was always very positive every semester that I offered it. Students really seemed to enjoy the opportunity to engage in active learning opportunities!