Impact of feedback training in CBT in visual inspection

Training has been a consistently effective intervention in improving inspection performance. For example, existing inspection training in the aircraft maintenance domain is mainly a combination of classroom and on-the-job training (OJT). Computer-based training (CBT) has been promoted ever since it was introduced to this domain. In this study we investigate how effectively feedback training can be combined with CBT to improve visual inspection performance. Specifically, we examine the potential positive impacts of performance and process feedback in CBT, given in an on-line manner, on a trainee’s performance and process assessment in a visual inspection task. The CBT system for inspection we used was adopted from the ASSIST program (Chen, Gramopadhye and Melloy, 2000). In our computer simulation of a familiar situation, participants were asked to search certain areas inside of a car in order to detect certain targets (dropped coins) with the aid of computerized tools (e.g., a magnifying glass, a flashlight), and fill out an inspection report based upon detection. A significant test effect was found across performance measures. Type of feedback training was found to be significant for search time. Performance measures were significantly correlated with target difficulty level; on-line performance feedback was significantly more efficient in improving performance measures than conventional delayed performance feedback; feedback training did affect process assessment measures