Symbol Learning in Navy Technical Training: An Evaluation of Strategies and Mnemonics.

摘要

This study had two objectives. The first was to evaluate the instructional effectiveness of materials designed in accordance with the algorithm for symbol learning contained in the Interservice Procedures for Instructional System Development (NAVEDTRA 106A). Special emphasis was placed on assessing the usefulness of graphic-type mnemonics (memory aids) recommended by the algorithm. The second objective was to demonstrate the feasibility of producing effective instructional materials using computer-aided authoring routines. This evaluation was conducted at the Signalman 'A' School at the Naval Training Center in Orlando, Florida. The set of symbols selected for the study was the International Morse code. The subjects were 160 Navy and Coast Guard enlisted men. A 2x4x3 repeated measures design was used to determine the differential effects of aptitude, type of instructional material, and amount of study time on the acquisition of Morse code. Four types of instructional material were compared. The were (1) the traditional materials (study guide pages and flash cards), (2) a Guided Practice handbook (137 pages), (3) a Mnemonics Only handbook (13 pages), and (4) a Guided Practice with Mnemonics handbook (137 pages). (Author)