CCE Theses and Dissertations
The Effects of Air Traffic Controllers' Cognitive Style, Learning Strategies and Performance within a Multimedia Training Environment
Date of Award
1999
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences
Advisor
Steven R. Terrell
Committee Member
Maxine S. Cohen
Committee Member
Phyllis P. Marson
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to examine the relationship of air traffic controllers' cognitive styles, learning strategies, and performance within a multimedia learning environment. The treatment software employed a revised human computer interface (RCI) that had recently been introduced to Air Traffic Control management training. This HCI offered users expanded options for controlling course sequence and content. Subjects for this study included 30 Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) supervisors stationed at Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regional Air Route Control Centers in Jacksonville and Miami, Florida. Subjects completed a pre-test, a treatment module on labor relations, and tests for immediate recall and retention. Tracking code recorded subjects' navigation. Specifically, this research examined the relationship between subjects' cognitive styles (i.e. field dependence), levels of deviation from provided course sequence and content, and performance on immediate recall and retention measures.
The ATCS cognitive screen protocol produces a homogeneous population of controllers exhibiting a unique suite of cognitive skills. These skills are deemed essential to the traffic control function. Subjects from the research sample fell within the field independent range of cognitive style (mean 13 .83, SD 3.65). Pearson Product-Moment correlation indicated a significant, moderately low relationship between cognitive style and immediate recall measure (r =. 37, CL =. 05) and a significant, moderately low correlation between cognitive style and retention (r =. 38, CL =. 05).
NSUWorks Citation
Jane S. Mahoney. 1999. The Effects of Air Traffic Controllers' Cognitive Style, Learning Strategies and Performance within a Multimedia Training Environment. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences. (694)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/694.