Another major benefit, he pointed out, is that improved comprehension by trainees has reduced attrition rates by about 75 percent. The present educational methodology obviously represents a major advance, but it is still only the beginning. Designed for both initial and refresher training for the shipboard Sailor, an IETM with adaptive training capabilities can adjust course content based on the individual trainee's responses. This allows the IETM to record how fast the trainee is comprehending the material, and then tailor how the information is presented. Adaptive IETMs were developed to duplicate the ashore training environment at sea without a classroom, explains Gersch.
Trainees require only initial basic training to become effective operators.
Future adaptive IETMs will be embedded in the actual shipboard tactical systems, enabling trainees to practice their operator skills offline. If the IETM determines that the trainee needs more knowledge training, it will switch, and vice versa for skills training. It can provide hints to the slower trainee, and skip simplistic elements with those who are more advanced. Adaptive IETMs embedded in shipboard systems are expected to further lower training costs, increasing the gains already generated from electronic classroom training, studies show.