240 likes | 256 Views
Army Excellence in Leadership (AXL) Sponsored by Army Research Institute USC Institute for Creative Technologies Michelle Zbylut Research Psychologist Army Research Institute. Randall W. Hill, Jr. Executive Director. Julia M. Kim Project Director.
E N D
Army Excellence in Leadership (AXL)Sponsored by Army Research InstituteUSC Institute for Creative TechnologiesMichelle ZbylutResearch PsychologistArmy Research Institute Randall W. Hill, Jr.Executive Director Julia M. KimProject Director The project or effort described here has been sponsored by the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (ARI) and the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM). Statements and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the United States Government, and no official endorsement should be inferred.
ICT Mission • Create synthetic experiences so compelling, that participants react as if they are real. • Develop immersive technologies for learning, training and operational environments.
Multidisciplinary Approach • Technology • Immersive, Interactive Research • Industry Best Practices • Entertainment • Game Development • Animation • Film • Pedagogy • Instructional Design • Leader Development • Guided Experiential Learning
What is Leadership? “Leadership is influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization.” U.S. Army Field Manual 6-22 on Leadership
Learning Challenge Expert leadership knowledge is largely tacit • Acquired through experience • On the job training (McCall, Lombardo, Morrison, 1988) • Use simulators to ‘learn by doing’ • Rehearsals (e.g., Duffer’s Drift) • Transfer through stories (Gerrig, 1993; Klein, 1998; Sternberg, 2000) • Experience alone is not enough • Tutor effect (Bloom, 1984) • Reflection is key to learning (Schon, 1982,1987; McCall et al., 1988; Chi et al., 2001)
AXL Case Method Approach • Using filmed stories as cases • Based on real-life experiences of recent commanders • Leadership and cultural issues in a mission context • “Power Hungry”: first scenario, food distribution operation set in Afghanistan • Interactive content and tools to support case analysis • Computer-based learning • Classroom and distance learning
Themes of Power Hungry • Mission Clarity • Shared Vision of Intent • Command Influence • Model of Command • Cultural Awareness • Employing the Experience of NCOs
Case Development Process • Interviews to gather real-life stories • Context • Current and relevant issues • Subject matter experts: tactics, leadership • Script development • Hollywood screenwriter • Synthesis for a compelling scenario: characters, plot • Challenge expectations • Doctrine or standard does not easily apply • Trade-offs, second- and third-order effects • Support reflection and discussion
AcceleratingLeader Development Baseline Engagement Learning Future Experience
AXL.Net Platform Pedagogical framework • Best practices from traditional case method teaching • Watch and Prepare • Familiarize • Analyze • Synthesize • “Close watching” and analysis of filmed cases • Generate discussion and reflection
AXL.Net Platform Open and flexible solution • Authorable: Not tied to a single case or instructional module • Dynamic web technology infrastructure: ease of use; multimedia, interactivity, research technology integration • Enable instructors, instructional designers • Distance learning and classroom teaching
AXL.Net Evaluation • 55 junior Army officers using Tripwire Cultural Awareness Module • Officers made better decisions after training • 8 forced-choice items related to teaching themes embedded in the film • Officers placed stronger emphasis on culturally aware actions after training • AXL.net appears to keep students’ attention • Tripwire was itself emotionally evocative • Self-reported arousal leveled-off by the end of discussion, but still higher than start
Student Response • CPTs had positive reactions with respect to: • Value of the overall training approach • How much the training made them think • Whether the training provided them with something that they could apply to their activities as a leader • “The module was realistic, informative, and entertaining enough to keep me awake. The scenario demonstrates several crucial cause and effect relationships. The questions and issues brought up during interactive portions were effective and important. They are a good tool to use when trying to explain the complexity of issues that face a leader in [real life operational situations].”
Contact For more information: http://axl.ict.usc.edu Ms. Julia Kim kim@ict.usc.edu