SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Marines obtain foundational knowledge by using rote learning techniques to master subject matter content, which is typically presented to students through lectures, reading materials, and homework assignments. Learning is most effective when the presentation of content, as well as the testing of acquired knowledge, is tailored to an individual student’s needs and current level of understanding. This approach to learning is known as adaptive training. Although adaptive training systems exist, the Marine Corps has encountered significant barriers to the adoption of these systems, including difficulties with implementation by non-specialists, and proprietary products that do not interface with the eLearning software tools used by the Schoolhouses. To address these issues, Charles River Analytics proposes to develop a prototype system for Marine Adaptive Schoolhouse Training with E-Learning Repetition Technology (MASTERY) to enable Marine Corps Schoolhouse instructors to bring adaptive training and principles of learning science to their courses, accelerating knowledge acquisition and retention by their students. MASTERY combines algorithms that use multidimensional stimulus representation, Bayesian item response theory, and monitor the declarative-to-procedural knowledge transition, to tailor content presentation and gamified feedback based on an individual student’s progress. MASTERY includes a web-capable backend with data management and integration with the Moodle learning management system. MASTERY includes intuitive user interfaces on the frontend that enable instructors to configure content and monitor student progress, and enable students to engage with content on desktop or mobile devices
