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

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 i Number. Neg 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 1 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 Neg : N=10 Question 12: Rate the experience which created stress during BBC training. TEST CLASS CONTROL CLASS} STRESS EXPERIENCE RATING RATING SCALE Talking with the faculty 3.7 3.2 1 = Much Stress Working with the military 2 = Some Stress command element 2.2 215 3 = Least Stress Performing practical 4 = No Stress exercises (voice) 2.5 1.7 * = Omission Using broadcast equipment 2.2 2.7 D Other : 2.0 id Number Neg N=10 8 --- PAGE 9 (OCR) --- TABLE 2 (Continued) ‘ eet Question 14: Rate your impressions of your learning experiences during the BBC. TEST CLASS CONTROL CLASS| LEARNING EXPERIENCES RATING RATING SCALE pichageberh iad use an VA 1 = very Effective and revi ee : : : 2 = Somewhat Effective Instructors’ interest and Y kill in broadcasting _ 1.3 at Ppegneoe ae ; 8 7 4.= Somewhat Ineffective eee) seo 5'= Very Ineffective strengths/weaknesses 1.3 1.1 + Aa ; ; = Omission Meeting a variety of people and working with them /2.6 +1.3 other 1.0 : * Number N=9 n=10 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 5 . a course : 2.2 1.2 1 = Highly Positive 2 = Somewhat Positive At_the end of core 1.8 1.8 3 = Neutral At the end of radio 1.4 1.3 4 = Slightly Negative 5 = Highly Negative At the end of television 1.4 1.2 Number Neg N=10 The test group (44.4%) seemed to have gained greater self confidence earlier in the _-@ourse 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 inclined 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). 9 --- PAGE 10 (OCR) --- STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRE An end-of-test survey was made of student reactions toward the PAST-system and activities. Although the number of students had been reduced somewhat, it is essential to examine the balance of the responding number (Ne9) 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 (77.28%) knew not enough time was cael ae more time should have been spent in using the tapes. Most of the ‘test students (88.%) noted some degree of help was experienced by the tape program. uy TABLE 3. : STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRE Question 1: Does using the FAST tapes make studying easier? CATEGORY/ANSWER . TEST CLASS (%) Yes 66.7 No 0-0 Don't Know 33.3 Number Neg 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 ) 5 Little or none 11.1 ) 77.8 Number z Neg Question 4: How would you describe your opinion of the tapes? CATEGORY /ANSWER TEST CLASS (%) Very helpful 22.2 ) Helpful : 44.4 ) 88.8 Barely helpful 22.2 ) 4 Little or no help _ 11.1 D Number N229 . ee =) Socone --- PAGE 11 (OCR) --- c - TABLE 3 Question 5: (Continued) Rate the tapes as to how well they aided your BBC study. Very . Barely No Helpful] Helpful Helpful] Help Average | Number FAST TAPE QQ) & (2) & (3) 8 (4) % [Rating N= FAST-TEN 14.3 28.6 42.9 14.3 2.5 7 Sound Sleep 55.6 11.1 11.1 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 ii.1 22.2 (2.1) 9 Peak Performance 33.3 22.2 11.V 33.3 | 2.4 9 “On-the~Air" 77.8 11.1 0.0 11.1 (1.4) 9 Question 6: tapes? Question 7: tapes? Question 12: Which phase of the BBC training was aided most by listening to the FAST CATEGORY /ANSWER TEST CLASS (%) Voice and Diction 1i.1 Radio 77.8 Television 0.0 No phase 11.1 Ali phases 0.0 Number N=Q 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 11.1 | Number Neg. Which tape gave you the most favorable reaction? © FAST TAPE TEST CLASS (%) FAST TEN Sound Sleep Attention FAST Nap Concentration Peak Performance “On-the-Air Number 11 --- PAGE 12 (OCR) --- “TABLE 3. (Continued) j i 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- \VIORAL Degree Degree |Degree Degree jment age CTERISTICS (1) & (2) & 403) & (4) & [(5) % Rating-~ |Number i re. energy . lavailable 12.5 25.0 37.5 -{ 12.5 12.5 2.8 8 jore restful 7 isleep 25.0 25.0 12.5 25.0 12.5 2.7 g ‘eel more e ealthy 12.5 25.0 12.5 25.0 25.0 3.2 8 {improved 7 self confidence 12.5 12.5 37.5 25.0 12.5 3.2 & Less irritability/ frustration 0.0 25.0 37.5 37.5 0.0 3.1 8 improved iconcentration 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 q lalertness 0.0 37.5 25.0 25.0 12.5 3.1 e . , ewer "down" periods 22.5 25.0 0.0 25.0 37.5 3.5 8 E Less need for cof- fee, alcohol,etc. 0.0 42.9 0.0 14.3 | 42.9 3.5 8 : improved . fi fstudy habits - 412.5 25.0 12.5 25.0 25.0 3.2 8 4 [Improved reactim to . E 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 . : : fof information 12.5 37.5 25.0 0.0 25.0 2.8 8 E [Improved ability to . . 4 febink 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? ‘ ' CATEGORY /ANSWER TEST CLASS (8) Yes 33.3 No 66.7 Number : Ne9 12. . ‘k --- PAGE 13 (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-aix" 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, ‘students 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 reported 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 conflictirigin this analysis, because the specific effects student might observe were not directly comparable from one experience to the next. For example, a student may have the expected reaction to a tape, but then 44.4% saw little or no tangible impact on his/her or others" performance. Where certain tapes showed minimal impact in BBC performance, “on-the-aix" was regarded by 71.4% as es- pecially helpful. However, the effectiveness of “on-thellaix" was achieved in part, it J seemed, from the cumulative use of the other FAST tapes and was hardly an independent xeaction. Test group classmates (77.8%) reported that “improved performance in BBC" by peers was a well-verified experience. ‘This peer observation probably could not have been noted unless other related behavioral enhancement was being effected concurrently by a gradual, cumulative achievment of barely perceptible knowledges and skills. a e TABLE 4. CRITIQUE AND REVIEW QUESTIONNAIRE CATEGORY /ANSWER 7 TEST CLASS (8) . Yes 11.1 + LNo 0.0 . Sometimes 44.4 : Don't Know 44.4 . Number N=9 313 --- PAGE 14 (OCR) --- TABLE 4 (Continued) Question 2: If your FAST classmates were better able to perform in BBC assignments after using a particular tape, check the appropriate tape(s) which you believe helped them. . : : TEST CLASS RESPONSES Didn't Helped Number FAST TAPE Help (8) % = FAST TEN 100.0 0.0 7 Sound Sleep 85.7 14.3 7 Attention 71.4 28.6 7 FAST Nap 100.0 0.0 q 7 Concentration 57.1 42.9 7 ' [Peak Performance 71.4 28.6 7 wl (“on-the-Air" + 28.6 71.4 7 7 ] Question 5: Check which experience FAST classmates reported most often. TEST CLASS RESPONSES - Did Not - ! Experience (Experienced Number FAST EXPERIENCE (%) (8) = Deeper sleep 77.8 22.2 9 / Better concentration 66.70 33.3 9 Greater sense of xelaxation 66.7 33.3 9 Improved performance . in BBC 22.2 77.8 9 Greater satisfac- tion in personal c life 100.0 0.0 9 Other, specify 77.8 22.2 9 Question 8: Did your -FAST tape practice and experience influence how well you did in the course? . : 5 CATEGORY /ANSWER TEST CLASS (8%) Yes il. * No 33.3 Sometimes 55.6 * 66.78 Number: ann Neg 5 14° --- PAGE 15 (OCR) --- TABLE 4 (Continued) Question.10: Which attitude or attitudes do you believe will help you determine whether students will enjoy or appreciate FAST tape experiences? TEST CLASS RESPONSE rr Not De~ Determine {Number + | ATTITUDES termine (%) (8). Ne ° Likes the unusual 55.6 2 44.4 9 Enjoys hard work 100.0 0.0 2. Likes to dream/imagine 55.6 44.4 9 Enjoys self analysis 66.7. 33.3 9 Likes to compete : 66.7 33.3 9 Enjoys friendships 77.8 22.2 9 Feels troubled 66.7 33.3 9 ‘Other, specify 5 88.9 11.2 9 Question 11: Have you acquired any new abilities or skills because of the FAST tape exercises? 7 CATEGORY /ANSWER : TEST CLASS (%) Yes 33.3 No 66.7 Number a Neo Question 13: Do you believe tapes like the FAST system could be designed to assist in other training programs? CATEGORY /ANSWER TEST CLASS (%) Yes 4 44.4 No 11.1 Don't know 44.4 Number : Neg Question 14: Can self control and personal motivation be improved after practicing with the FAST tapes? CATEGROY/ANSWER TEST CLASS (8) Yes 66.7 No 12.2 Don't know 22.2 Number : Neg 15 --- PAGE 16 (OCR) --- TABLE 4 (Continued)