A Comparison of Individualized and Conventional Instruction in Navy Technical Training.

ABSTRACT A study was' conducted in the Navy to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of individualized instruction (II) compared to conventional instruction (CI). Comparisons were made concerning the relationships of method of instruction, ability level, and type of training task to training time, training costs, end-of-course grades, and fleet supervisor ratings for graduates of 19 Naizy "A" Schools including more than 5000 persons. Major findings and conclusions of the study were the following: (1) II and CI were found to be equally effective in preparing sailors for operational fleet jobs; (2) within the II category, self-paced and computer-managed instruction were fouhd to be equally effective training methods; (3) II benefited higher ability students more than it did lower ability students; (4) no evidence was obtained concerning which method of instruction most benefited lower ability personnel; (5) CI did not benefit one ability level of students'over another; and (6,) whether CI or II was more effective in teaching training tasks depended On course content. It was inferred from the study that training time, and thus cost, could be reduced by converting current CI courses to an II format--at least for higher mental ability students. (Other reports will be, forthcoming from these studies.) (KC)