The Impact of Training Method on Skill Acquisition and Transfer

Technology, such as simulations and virtual reality (VR), can be used for training students and employees. Using these tools may have implications for skills development and retention, specifically related to individual differences and technology’s effectiveness as a learning tool. To explore this issue, a pilot study was used to evaluate how an individual’s performance on a task (i.e., the building an electrical circuit), differs depending on the physical fidelity of the learning environment. In addition, this study examined the effects of cognitive ability and goal orientation on task performance. Specifically this study investigated different methods for practicing the building of electrical circuits using a 2D breadboard simulation, a 3D virtual breadboard, and a physical breadboard. The preliminary results of this pilot study found that physical fidelity of learning environment was a significant predictor of construction time and circuit accuracy. Cognitive ability and learning goal orientation were ...