Date: September 18, 2013
Guest Speaker: Capt Jonathon Richardson, USMC, Master degree student, MOVES Institute
Topic: Developing Behavioral Metrics for Decision-making in Marine Corps Small Units
Abstract: This thesis research developed behaviorally-anchored performance measures for use in evaluating Marine Corps small-units in live, virtual and/or constructive training environments. Research focused on operational training conducted at the infantry immersion trainer on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, CA. Currently, assessments of unit performance during operational training exercises particularly at the infantry immersion trainer tend to be subjective. While exercise controllers or trainers provide participants with critical operational expertise, feedback tends to be subjective. Moreover, there are neither standardized metrics for evaluating small-unit decision-making while engaging in scenarios, nor standardized processes for providing feedback. Including behaviorally-anchored rating scales in the training and evaluation process at the infantry immersion trainer will improve the feedback quality to trainees. Measuring a small-unit’s performance in this context will provide an improved assessment of their decision-making in uncertain situations or training scenarios. Additionally, the behaviorally-anchored rating scales will contribute to the standardization of training at the infantry immersion trainer. During the thesis development process, behaviorally-anchored rating scales were developed and later employed at the infantry immersion trainer. Recommendations for future research are as follows: behaviorally-anchored rating scales assessment expansion to multiple scenarios and facilities and incorporation of behaviorally-anchored rating scales assessments to smaller training applications. 

Date: September 11, 2013
Guest Speaker: Maj Floy Yates, USMC, Master degree student, MOVES Institute
Topic: Diffusion and Large-Scale Adoption of Computer-Supported Training Simulations in the Military Domain
Abstract: The focal point of this thesis is the overall process of diffusion and adoption of technological innovations (computer-supported training simulations) within the military domain. The goal was to capture the positive and negative trends that appear to be the most significant toward the adoption process. The approach selected in this thesis was to execute a user study and collect a set of data points concerned with the users’ overall demographics, attitudes, expectations, knowledge, misconceptions, usage, advertising, leadership endorsement, and other elemental characteristics for adoption of those systems in the military domain. The data survey was conducted within MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, CA; it addressed specific needs of four different groups of users (Trainees, Unit Leadership, Trainers, and Base Leadership). The analysis of collected data sets demonstrated that diffusion and adoption of these types of solutions is a complex, multilayered problem that goes beyond the characteristics of the systems/tools. The summary of user profiles, attitudes toward technology, and other elements relevant to the training domain demonstrated that clearly. The findings in this work can be generalized to any other USMC base, and have a universal value applicable to the adoption of computer-supported training simulations by other DoD services.

Date: September 4, 2013
Guest Speaker: Capt Regan King, USMC, Master degree student, MOVES Institute
Topic: The Untrained Forward Observer (UFO) Translator

Date: August 21, 2013
Guest Speaker: Dr. Nita Shattuck, OR Department
Topic: Recent developments in sleep research and their affects in the HSI domain

Date: August 14, 2013
Guest Speaker: LTC Glenn Hodges, US Army, PhD candidate, MOVES Institute
Topic: Update on PhD thesis progress: Results of evaluation of the EST 2000 heavy weapons training system

Date: July 24, 2013
Guest Speaker: Capt Regan King, USMC, Master degree student, MOVES Institute
Topic: Update about directed study (focus: anthropometry): Human Body Models Jack and SANTOS