A training programme to improve human physical capability for manual handling jobs

The primary objectives of this study were to test whether the muscular endurance, muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, and workload perception of individuals engaged in combined manual handling tasks could be improved through a short and intensive physical training programme. Two separate experiments were conducted to achieve the objectives of this study. The independent variables studied in each experiment were group type (training and control) and training session. Twenty male subjects participated in these experiments. The task performed in the first experiment was a combined lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, and carrying activity. The second experiment featured an upper extremity manual handling task. Results indicated that, for both experiments, endurance time increased and heart rate decreased significantly during the course of training. For experiment 1, there were no significant changes in either static or dynamic strength with training. On the other hand, significant increases in static and dynamic strength were observed with the training group of experiment 2. The results of this study suggest that it is possible to improve muscular endurance and cardiovascular endurance with a short and intensive training programme. Moreover, an endurance training programme may increase both static and dynamic strength only if the weight of load handled during the training programme taxes the subject to 50% or more of his/her initial dynamic strength.     

Quality control in the optical industry: From a work analysis of lens inspection to a training programme, an experimental case study

A cognitive work analysis of quality inspection in the optical industry has been carried out in order to devise a training programme. The task concerned the inspection of high quality human eyeglass lenses. We conducted an experimental investigation of defect detection and acceptability decision-making tasks in 18 experts and novice inspectors. Detection and decision-making were investigated together and separately in two experimental sessions. We showed the effect of expertise on reaction times and errors, and we described the cognitive processes of novice inspectors. On the basis of the processing differences between the two groups, a training programme for new inspectors was devised and described. Finally, training effects were tested.     

Learning rate and subjective mental workload in five truck driving tasks

Both learning curve models and subjective mental workload are useful tools for determining the length of training for new workers and predicting future task performance. An experiment was designed to collect the task completion times and subjective mental workload of five driving tasks including (a) reverse into garage, (b) 3-point turn, (c) parallel parking, (d) S-curve and (e) up-down-hill. The results indicated that task completion times of truck driving can be predicted with a learning curve. Practice significantly reduced the mental workload rating. However, the novice trainees tended to have a more significant reduction because, compared to experienced trainees, they tended to give greater or lower workload scores than the experienced trainees before and after practice, respectively. The current study may not be complete enough to provide guidelines for a training programme, but it is adequate to suggest that learning rate and workload measure can serve as indexes for factoring in the individual differences.

Practitioner summary: Learning curves can be used to determine the length of training for new workers and performance standards for a particular task. Learning rate and mental workload were found to be important measures for comparing individual differences in order to better design a training programme. However, mental workload must be evaluated by experienced participants.     

Cueing for transfer in multimedia programmes: process worksheets vs. worked-out examples

Abstract We investigate the effects of cueing, in a multimedia programme for the individualized training of the ‘whole task’ to prepare a plea, on the learning outcomes of 43 sophomore law students. The cueing formats of worked‐out examples (WOEs), process worksheets (PWs), and both WOE and PW are compared to a no‐cueing control condition. Our hypotheses that WOE enhance near transfer, by stimulating imitation processes to similar tasks, and that PW foster far transfer, by stimulating mindful abstraction processes to different tasks were partly confirmed by learning outcomes on the training task and two transfer tasks.     

The use of performance profiles in the design of a systematic medical suturing training programme

Systematic training methods are generated by contrasting task knowledge and skill performance profiles of highly experienced workers against those of inexperienced, through task and skills analysis. Training methods are then developed based on performance profile differences rather than similarities. The studies reported in this paper are concerned with the methodology and findings of task and skills analysis used in the development of a systematic training programme for medical suturing. The general conclusions suggest the following: (1) the experienced and inexperienced groups differ in task knowledge on the task components - (a) proper instrument handling, (b) hierarchy of elements that must be followed in attaining symmetric and atraumatic would closures and (c) proper suture tension during instrument knot-tying; (2) inexperienced workers exhibited significantly higher number of anatomical position changes during task performance than the experienced surgeons; (3) due to task knowledge profiles and unique usage of hand, finger and thumb of the favoured and non-favoured hand, the surgeons were approximately three times faster than the students on critical task elements; and (4) the contrasting of performance profiles developed through task and skills analysis is a valuable tool in the development of an analytical training strategies for technical psychomotor surgical skills.     

The effects of focused attention training on the duration of novice drivers' glances inside the vehicle

Several studies have documented that the failure of drivers to attend to the forward roadway for a period lasting longer than 2-3 s is a major cause of highway crashes. Moreover, several studies have demonstrated that novice drivers are more likely to glance away from the roadway than the experienced drivers for extended periods when attempting to do a task inside the vehicle. The present study examines the efficacy of a PC-based training programme (FOrward Concentration and Attention Learning, FOCAL) designed to teach novice drivers not to glance away forthese extended periods of time. A FOCAL-trained group was compared with a placebo-trained group in an on-road test, and the FOCAL-trained group made significantly fewer glances away from the roadway that were more than 2 s than the placebo-trained group. Other measures indicated an advantage for the FOCAL-trained group as well. Statement of relevance: Distracted driving is increasingly a problem, as cell phones, navigation systems, and other in-vehicle devices are introduced into the cabin of the automobile. A training programme is described that has beentested on the open road and can reduce the behaviours that lead to crashes caused by the distracted driving.     

A LABORATORY APPROACH TO INTERPERSONAL ASPECTS OE TEAM PEREORJ1ANCE

Thin paper brings together and re-appraises a number of studios, mostly already published elsewhere, from a laboratory research programme to deal in an experimental fashion with certain problems of team performance. An attempt has been made to bo sufficiently comprehensive to anticipate a variety of team performance problems observed in the Air i'oreo and other work-group settings. Rosoareh to date in this programme has dealt primarily with ream training, although ono may also noto implications in this work for the probloms of tho distribution of displays and controls among team members,

The conceptual approach adopted is traceable to contemporary stimulus-responso thoorios in psychology. Basic concepts and methods are briefly describod followed by an analysis of stimulus-response arrangements in dyads. Feedback (reinforcing) stimuli in social settings are first given special attention sinco they seom central to almost any training problem.

Experiments are summarized which deal with parameters relevant to socially affected feedback. A mimbor of task parameters are also givon experimental consideration.

Finally, initial studies of discrimination learning within a team context, and tho effects of individuals' past histories on a discrimination task, as those determine toam outputs, are also described.     

Violations and errors during simulation-based driver training

The effectiveness of virtual driving instruction can increase when techniques that automatically distinguish between violations and errors are available, two behaviours requiring different types of remediation. This study reports the analysis of the objectively measured performance of 520 participants completing a simulation-based training programme. Factor analysis of failure reasons showed that violations and errors were the primary underlying factors. Men committed more violations and women made more errors; the magnitude of sex differences corresponded to the factor loadings. Factor analysis of the mean task completion times yielded a factor that can be described as the extent to which motivation for speed resulted in quicker task execution. Quicker participants completed more tasks, committed more violations, but made fewer errors. Participants reduced errors during forced-paced driving and increased speed during self-paced driving. The authors would recommend exploiting the distinction between violations and errors by developing interfaces and feedback for both types of aberration.     

Violations and errors during simulation-based driver training

The effectiveness of virtual driving instruction can increase when techniques that automatically distinguish between violations and errors are available, two behaviours requiring different types of remediation. This study reports the analysis of the objectively measured performance of 520 participants completing a simulation-based training programme. Factor analysis of failure reasons showed that violations and errors were the primary underlying factors. Men committed more violations and women made more errors; the magnitude of sex differences corresponded to the factor loadings. Factor analysis of the mean task completion times yielded a factor that can be described as the extent to which motivation for speed resulted in quicker task execution. Quicker participants completed more tasks, committed more violations, but made fewer errors. Participants reduced errors during forced-paced driving and increased speed during self-paced driving. The authors would recommend exploiting the distinction between violations and errors by developing interfaces and feedback for both types of aberration.     

Does stress training generalize to novel settings?

Many high-stress task environments are complex and dynamic, and it is often difficult during training to anticipate the exact conditions that may be encountered in these settings. We conducted an empirical study to examine whether the positive effects of stress training that addressed one specific type of stressor and task would remain when trainees performed under a novel stressor or performed a novel task. Participants performed a laboratory task under stress conditions. Measures of task performance and self-reported stress were obtained at three performance trials: (a) prior to stress training, (b) after a stress training intervention targeted to that specific task environment, and (c) under novel stressor/task conditions. Results indicated that the beneficial effects of stress training were retained when participants performed under a novel stressor and performed a novel task. We discuss the implications of this study with regard to their application in the design of stress training and the transfer of learning to complex, dynamic task environments.     

Groupwork with computers

Abstract The researchers will develop a programme of computer-based groupwork in two clusters of four-six primary/middle schools. This will be improved and modified in the light of the first year's experience. Research techniques will also be piloted during this developmental phase. A series of studies will then be planned over 2 years as a coherent programme, involving both teacher researchers and university-based researchers. These will investigate relationships between context variables, group processes and pupil attitudes and learning. Special attention will be given to the effects of varying the computing environment and the learning task, to pupils' psychological characteristics and their variance or invariance, to group size and competition, to gender effects, to teacher intervention strategies, and to the effect of prior training in cooperative groupwork and/or experience of groupwork off the computer.     

软件工程实践教学方法探索

本文结合教学体会,分析了软件工程实验教学中存在的问题。紧扣教学计划,以学生的知识和能力为基础,建议将软件工程实践分为专项任务实验和项目开发实践两个阶段。专项任务实验针对软件开发方法的主要知识点,以巩固软件工程理论知识为目的;项目开发实践以小组形式进行实际软件项目的开发,培养学生的软件工程方法综合运用能力和基本的软件开发实践能力。     

Evaluation of training in patient handling and moving skills among hospital and home care personnel

The aim of the study was to evaluate the training programme in patient handling and moving skills according to the Stockholm Training Concept. The evaluation focused on work technique, musculoskeletal problems, job strain and the experience of the person being transferred. The training programme consisted of two models of learning: traditional groups and quality circles. Fifty-one people employed at geriatric hospitals and in primary care, participated in the training programme. For the evaluation, the participants were video-recorded in one standardized transfer situation: moving the patient from bed to wheelchair, before and after the training. The participants' work technique during the patient transfer was assessed using seven items. A questionnaire covering individual factors, physical exertion, job strain, and musculoskeletal problems, was filled in by the participants before training and also six months after. The results showed improvements in six of the seven work technique items, directly after training. A decrease in the participants' physical exertion during transfers of patients from ‘bed to chair’ was shown six months after completion of the training programme. There was no significant decrease in the participants' musculoskeletal problems and job strain after training. Ninety-eight per cent of the participants were positive about having participated in the training. Training in patient handling and moving skills led to improved work technique. The participants improved their transfer technique and experienced less discomfort during the transfer, and patients experienced greater comfort and safety when being transferred.     

Evaluation of training in patient handling and moving skills among hospital and home care personnel

The aim of the study was to evaluate the training programme in patient handling and moving skills according to the Stockholm Training Concept. The evaluation focused on work technique, musculoskeletal problems, job strain and the experience of the person being transferred. The training programme consisted of two models of learning: traditional groups and quality circles. Fifty-one people employed at geriatric hospitals and in primary care, participated in the training programme. For the evaluation, the participants were video-recorded in one standardized transfer situation: moving the patient from bed to wheelchair, before and after the training. The participants' work technique during the patient transfer was assessed using seven items. A questionnaire covering individual factors, physical exertion, job strain, and musculoskeletal problems, was filled in by the participants before training and also six months after. The results showed improvements in six of the seven work technique items, directly after training. A decrease in the participants' physical exertion during transfers of patients from 'bed to chair' was shown six months after completion of the training programme. There was no significant decrease in the participants' musculoskeletal problems and job strain after training. Ninety-eight per cent of the participants were positive about having participated in the training. Training in patient handling and moving skills led to improved work technique. The participants improved their transfer technique and experienced less discomfort during the transfer, and patients experienced greater comfort and safety when being transferred.     

Creativity for Engineering Plant Design: An Exploratory Study

A pilot study of creativity enhancement techniques took place within a large engineering firm in the UK. Exploratory interviews were carried out with professionals in the areas of creativity, mechanical design engineering and management in order to identify informally acquired skills of successful design practice.¹ Engineers participated in an introductory one day training programme applying creative techniques to real design problems from the heavy industrial engineering field. Initial feedback on the programme was recorded in addition to impact studies which took place after a ten-week interval. The impact of the programme was reported during the course of interviews which were complemented with the completion of detailed questionnaires. Results suggest that traditional training programmes for such professionals may need to be modified to become more user-friendly.     

Group attributional training as an effective approach to human resource development under team work systems

An experimental programme of group attributional training under team work system was conducted as part of human resource development in Chinese industrial enterprises. One hundred and ten shopfloor employees participated in the study. Among them, 58 employees took part in the factorial-designed experiment to find out the effects of attributions on performance, and 52 employees of ten work groups participated in the group attributional training programme twice a week for two months. The results showed that the group attributional training was effective in modifying employees' attributional patterns and enhancing group performance and satisfaction. On the basis of the results, an attributional model of work motivation is proposed, and its theoretical and practical implications for human resource management discussed.     

Perceptual training for visual search

People are better at visual search than the best fully automated methods. Despite this, visual search remains a difficult perceptual task. The goal of this investigation was to experimentally test the ways in which visual search performance could be improved through two categories of training interventions: perceptual training and conceptual training. To determine the effects of each training on a later performance task, the two types of trainings were manipulated using a between-subjects design (conceptual vs. perceptual × training present vs. training absent). Perceptual training led to speed and accuracy improvements in visual search. Issues with the design and administration of the conceptual training limited conclusions on its effectiveness but provided useful lessons for conceptual training design. The results suggest that when the visual search task involves detecting heterogeneous or otherwise unpredictable stimuli, perceptual training can improve visual search performance. Similarly, careful consideration of the performance task and training design is required to evaluate the effectiveness of conceptual training.

Practitioner Summary: Visual search is a difficult, yet critical, task in industries such as baggage screening and radiology. This study investigated the effectiveness of perceptual training for visual search. The results suggest that when visual search involves detecting heterogeneous or otherwise unpredictable stimuli, perceptual training may improve the speed and accuracy of visual search.     

The retention of skills acquired through simulator-based training

This study examined the loss of skills across a nine month retention period following a simulator-based training programme developed to enhance the watchstanding skills of merchant marine cadets. The mitigation of decay as a function of a retraining experience was also evaluated. Two groups of merchant marine cadets were tested immediately preceding and following the programme and again nine months later. One group was given a refresher experience and tested six months into the retention interval. The evaluations were unobtrusive ratings of six watchstanding skill areas based upon performance during a 30-min simulated watchkeeping scenario. Generally, the results indicated that: (1) watchstanding skills improved following training; (2) skills declined over the nine month retention interval; and (3) refresher training was effective in terms of skill loss mitigation for some skill areas.     

基于一元连续型动态规划的微型加热器的IPC控制

本文以廉价的微型加热器为被控对象．中文组态王Kingview为编程语言．介绍应用现代控制理论之一元连续型动态规划原理进行控制。最后介绍了基于众多的控制工艺流程、控制算法和编程语言．生成庞大的自动控制设计课题树(拥有两两相异的数万个课题叶子)。     

The effect of decision-making training: results from a command-and-control training facility

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether training in a microworld had an effect on the decision-making process in a command-and-control training facility. Fourteen battalion commanders participated in the study. Prior to performing the main task in the command-and-control facility, seven participants (the experimental group) received training in the microworld. Seven participants (the control group) received no training before the main task. The results show that the experimental group performed better than the control group, measured by self-ratings and by fulfilling the instructors’ criteria. The experimental group displayed a different decision-making behaviour in the main task than the control group did. The results indicate that the experimental group used some behaviour characteristics they learnt during training, namely “working systematically” and “causal relationship”. Thus, the study shows that favourable behaviour was learnt in the microworld, and that behaviour was subsequently used in the command-and-control training facility.