(TMI-ARMY Files) 1982 - FAST Acquisition Skills Training - Executive Summary

example, where ten swimming students are surveyed and only tworequired "life-saving support the other eight are not assumed to reject the value of a life-saving system. --- PAGE 6 (OCR) --- STRESS SURVEY Stress in the BBC appears as a documented condition by the end of the course. The test class did not seem to differ from the immediately prior comparison class (12-82) in the degree of initially experienced stress. There is an indication, though, that the sources of stress may have been evaluated differently. For example, the test students (85.7%) felt "radio" training was significantly more stressful than the prior control class (50%) observed it to be. There was a distinct difference between classes as to which course phase produced the "least" stress. The test class (55.6%) saw "television" as yielding least stress, where the prior class (50%) indicated “broadcast writing" as creating the least stress. Test (FAST) students (75%) found that "radio" contributed "most" to learning a new skill, while the control or prior class (50%) was most affected by “television” training. Test students felt “radio” was more difficult to master than the prior class did (2.0 vs. 2.5), and that "television" was easier to master than it was for the prior class (2.8 vs. 2.3) on a scale of "most difficult" (1) to “easy to learn" (4). eee? STRESS SURVEY Question 1: How would you describe the BBC overall? STRESS DEGREE TEST CLASS (%) CONTROL Class (%) Slightly Stressful 0.0 0.0 Somewhat Stressful 33.3 30.0 Very Stressful 44.4 50.0 Extremely Stressful 22.2 20.0 Number, Neg N=10 * Question 2: Select the phase of broadcaster training which seemed to create the most stress for you? ° PHASE. OF TRAINING TEST CLASS (%) CONTROL CLASS (%) See Broadcast Writing 0.0 20.0 Voice and Diction 0.0 10.0 Radio 85.7 50.0 Television 14.3 0.0 All of the above 0.0 20.0 Number. Neg N=10 i --- PAGE 7 (OCR) --- TABLE 2 Question 3: (Continued) stress for you? Select the phase of broadcaster training which seemed to create the least PHASE OF TRAINING TEST CLASS (%) CONTROL CLASS (%)_ Broadcast Writing 22.2 50.0 Voice and Diction 21.1 20.0 Radio 11.2 20.0 Television 55.6 20.0 Other 0.0 0.0 Number Neg N=10 Question 6: successful in contributing to your learning of a new skill? Select the phase of broadcaster training which seemed most effective or PHASE OF TRAINING TEST CLASS(8)_- CONTROL CLASS (%) Broadcast Writing 0.0 10.0 Television 25.0 50.0 Radio 75.0 30.0 Voice and Diction 0.0 10.0 Other 0.0 0.0 Number N=8 N=10 “Question 7: skills. . TEST CLASS CONTROL CLASS} BROADCASTER SKILLS. RATING RATING Television Studio tasks and production 2.8 2.3 Radio tasks and production 2.0 2-5 Voice interpretation and news delivery 2.1 2.1 Other 3.0 . Number Neg N=10 Rate the level of aifficulty you had in mastering the following broadcaster SCALE 1 = Most Difficult 2 = Moderately Difficu) 3 = Somewhat Difficult 4 = Easy to Learn * = Omission --- PAGE 8 (OCR) --- TABLE 2 (Continued) Question 9: Rate the activity which was relaxing for you during your -broadcaster training. TEST CLASS CONTROL CLASS] ACTIVITY RATING RATING SCALE Reading alone in library/ ig barracks room 1.7 1.5 1 = Highly Relaxing 2 = Somewhat Relaxing . Learning Center lessons 2.1 2.1 3 = Neutral * = Omission Classroom : 2.5 2.5 Discussing work with faculty member 1.7 2.0 Performing practical exercises 2.0 * : ' Other 1.0 = Number NeQ N=10 NOTE: The “other” for the Test Class Rating implies the probable response to the FAST system. Question 10: Which weeks of training in the BBC gave you the most self confidence? WEEKS OF TRAINING TEST CLASS (%) CONTROL CLASS (%) Core, Voice & Diction 22.2 0.0 Radio Skill 22.2 30-0 Television 33.3 40.0 All_of the above 22.2 20.0 Other 0.0 10.0 Number N=9 N=10 Question 12: Rate the experience which created stress during BBC training. 2 L . fr “Fr TEST CLASS | CONTROL CLASS; : STRESS EXPERIENCE RATING RATING SCALE Talking with the faculty 3.7 3.1 1 = Much Stress Working with the military 2 = Some Stress command element 2.2 1.5 3 = Least Stress Performing practical 4 = No Stress exercises (voice) 2.5 1.7 * = Omission Using broadcast equipment 2.2 2.7 Other 2.0 * Number Ned N10 --- PAGE 9 (OCR) --- TABLE 2 (Continued) Question 14: Rate your impressions of your learning experiences during the BBC. TEST CLASS |CONTROL CLASS} LEARNING EXPERIENCES RATING RATING SCALE Broadcast equipment use Go 1 = Very Effective and review : 4 ae 2 = Somevhat Effective Instructors’ interest and 3 = Neutral skill in broadcasting 1.3 i.1 4 = Somewhat Ineffectiv Learning your own 5 = Very Ineffective strengths/weaknesses 1.3 1.1 + * = Omission Meeting a variety of people : and working with them 1.6 1.3 Other 1.0 ui Number Neg nelo NOTE: The “other" for the Test Class Rating implies probable acceptance of the FAST system. Question 15: How would you categorize your motivation? TEST CLASS {CONTROL CLASS| MOTIVATION CATEGORY RATING RATING SCALE At the beginning of the 22 la 1 © Highly Positive anaes . 2 = Somevhat Positive At_the end of core 1.8 1.8 3 = Neutral i . 4 = Slightly Negative At the end of radio 1.4 1.3 5 = Highly Hegative At the end of television 1.4 1.2 Number Neo N=10 The test group (44.4%) seemed to have gained greater self confidence earlier in the course phases than the control group (30%) did Previously. There was a trend showing that test students had less stress in “working with the military" (2.2 vs. 1.5) and “performing practical exercises" (2.5 vs. 1.7) than the prior class experience on a scale of "much stress" (1) to “no stress"(4). Learning experiences (1.6 vs. 1.3) and motivation (2.2 vs. 1.8) ratings showed more response variation or span in the test class than for the control class on a scale of 1 (high) to 5(low), with test students less inclinéd to give higher ratings of their judgment, suggesting a more realistic analysis or attitude. A slightly different pattern of what was regarded as "relaxing activity" was expressed by the test group rating "discussing work with faculty member" (1.7 vs. 2.0) and "performing practical exercises" (2.0 vs. "no rating") as more re- laxing than indicated by the control group, on a scale of “highly relaxing" (1) to "neutral" (3). ————————— a .9 --- PAGE 10 (OCR) --- STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRE An end-of-test survey was made of student reactions toward the FAST system and activities. Although the number of students had been reduced somewhat, it is essential to examine the balance of the responding number (N=9) realizing the better graduating students may not have needed any tape exposure to perform. In spite of the course's stress and in- dividuals’ ability to cope with training successfully, the majority (66.7%) of proficient students believed the FAST tapes "made studying easier." These students could have just as easily rationalized they did their study not needing a motivating procedure to help complete the BBC. Generally, these students (77.8%) knew not enough time was spent or more time should have been spent in using the tapes. Most of the ‘test students (88.8%) noted some degree of help was experienced by the tape program. TABLE 3. STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRE . Question 1: Does using the FAST tapes make studying easier? 7 T CATEGORY /ANSWER TEST CLASS (%) Yes 66.7 No g.0 Don't Know 33.3 Number Ned Question 3: What amount of time did you spend using the FAST tapes? CATEGORY /ANSWER TEST CLASS (%) More than suggested 0.0 Suggested time 22.2 Less than suggested 66.7 . ) 77.8 Little or none il.1 ,— Number NeQ Question 4: How would you describe your opinion of the tapes? oa CATEGORY /ANSWER TEST CLAL Very helpful 22.2 Helpful 44.4 Barely helpful 22.2 Little or no help il.2 Number : A 10 --- PAGE 11 (OCR) --- --- PAGE 12 (OCR) --- TABLE 3 (Continued) Question 5: Rate the tapes as to how well they aided your BBC study. Very Barely | No Helpful} Helpful] Helpful] Help Average | Number FAST TAPE Q) 8 (2)_ 8% (3). 8% (4)_& |Rating Ne FAST-TEN 14.3 28.6 42.9 14.3 2.5 7 Sound Sleep 55.6 11.1 12.1 22.2 | (2.0) 9 Attention 12.5 37.5 12.5 37.5 2.7 8 FAST Nap _ 11.1 22.2 22.2 44.4 3.0 9 Concentration 44.4 22.2 12.2 22.2 | (2.1) 9 Peak Performance 33.3 22.2 11.1 33.3 2.4 9 "On-the-Air" 77.8 11.1 0.0 11.2 Q.4) 9 Question 6: Which phase of the BBC training was aided most by listening to the FAST tapes? Question 7: tapes? Question 12: CATEGORY /ANSWER TEST CLASS (%) Voice and Diction 11.1 Radio 77.8 Television 0.0 No phase il. All phases 0.0 Number. Neg Which phase of the BBC training was aided least by listening to the FAST CATEGORY /ANSWER TEST CLASS (%) Voice and Diction 22.2 Radio 0.0 Television 66.7, All _phases ji.1 Number Neg Which tape gave you the most favorable reaction? FAST TAPE TEST CLASS (%) FAST TEN 0.0 Sound Sleep 25.0 Attention 0.0 FAST Nap 0.0 Concentration 37.5 Peak Performance 0.0 “On-the-Air 37.5 Number N=8 11 --- PAGE 13 (OCR) --- TABLE 3. (Continued) Question 14: Rate the degree of improvement you experienced through the use of the FAST tapes. TEST CLASS RESPONSES ‘Very High|High Moderate |Some No Improve-;Aver- bsrrcms Degree Degree [Degree |Degree [ment age ‘RISTICS (1) (2) % G) % (4) % (5) & Rating {Number fore energy wailable 12.5 25.0 37.5 12.5 12.5 2.8 8 pore restful leep 25.0 25.0 12.5 25.0 12.5 2.7 8 ‘eel more " jealthy 12.5 25.0 12.5 25.0 25.0 3.2 8 ‘improved . elf confidence 12.5 12.5 37.5 25.0 12.5 3.1 8 ss irritability/ frustration 0.0 25.0 37.5 37.5 0-0 3.1 8 eeeozed ncentration 12.5 37.5 25.0 0.0 25.0 2-8 8 More relaxed 0.0 37.5, 12.5 37.5 12.5 3.2 8 Less tension 0.0 25.0 25.0 37.5 12.5 3.3 8 increased alertness 0.0 37.5 25.0 25.0 12.5 3.1 8 Fewer "down" periods 12.5 25.0 0.0 25.0 37.5 3.5 8 less need for cof- ee, alcohol, etc. 0.0 42.9 0.0 14.3 42.9 3.5 8 [tmproved tudy habits 12.5 25.0 12.5 25.0 25.0 3.2 8 mproved reactin to hysical activity | 12.5 12.5 25.0 12.5 37.5 3.5 8 [Improved fluency 12.5 37.5 12.5 0.0 37.5 3.1 8 {improved retention : pf information 12.5 37.5 25.0 0.0 25.0 2.8 8 [improved ability to . . think more clearly: 12.5 25.0 25.0 25.0 12.5 3.0 8 . Question 17: Do you think you could have done as well in the course without the use of FAST tapes? ‘ Pe CATEGORY /ANSWER TEST CLASS (8) a Yes 33.3 ain Wo 66.7 Number N=9 12 --- PAGE 14 (OCR) --- All FAST tapes seemed to have a basal rating level of effectiveness (3.0) with some having _ More, as students were able to individually compare them according to preference. The "yadio" course phase was distinctly "aided most by listening to the FAST tapes," 77.8% of students replied with the "on-the-air" tape rated (1.4) above as very helpful for BBC study. Television training was selected by 66.7% of the students as being least aided using the tapes. Test students selected the “concentration,” “on-the-air" and “sound sleep" tapes by 25%, 37.5% and 37.5% respectively, as _those giving the most favorable reactions. overall, “ptudents experienced just noticeable or greater improvement in 16 behavioral characteristics and were particularly assisted in "doing the music-machine" show, which was directly related to the "“on-the-air" tape. A clear majority (66.7%) of the test class xeported that they could not have done as well in the course without the use of the FAST tapes. Again, a positive endorsement of the tapes was expressed as for "made studying easier" above even though the test group was ‘small. Most questions in this instrument and those administered were phrased to offer comparison, interpretation of others and examine the reliability of this positive finding. CRITIQUE AND REVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE Another end-of-course student questionnaire was designed to elicit group, peer and in- terpersonal opinions. Data were rather conflictingin this analysis, because the specific effects student might observe were not directly comparable from one experience to the