Interactive multisensor analysis training

The Navy Personnel Research and Development Center, NPRDC, is a primary sponsor for design and development of a classroom instruction aid, the Interactive Multisensor Analysis Trainer (IMAT). The system stresses comprehension of basic concepts leading to complex job performance, rather than relying on rote memorization of rules and procedures. The multidimensionality of the IMAT system, three physical dimensions plus time, is used to convey concepts that cannot be easily visualized in two dimensions. IMAT has been applied successfully to the learning of basic oceanography and acoustics, and its basis of conceptual learning has become essential to the increasingly complex problem solving associated with littoral warfare. This paper presents the IMAT system. The philosophy of context-based teaching aids is discussed. The authors describe the software and hardware development environments, current uses and future planned and potential applications. Specific examples of the multidimensional and computational capabilities are highlighted. Finally, the results of implementation, testing and evaluation are presented.