Attitudes and perceptions of instructors operating marine simulator courses

Mercer, Robert M. (1996) Attitudes and perceptions of instructors operating marine simulator courses. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (41MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gather information regarding methodologies used in marine simulator training. The focus of this study was on instructors who operated courses on ship manoeuvring simulators and on radar and navigation simulators. Since the study included subjects with varying professional and educational backgrounds, it was anticipated that areas of agreement and disagreement about training could be identified. The information gathered in this study helped to identify attitudes about training and program delivery methods commonly used by instructors of marine simulator courses. The study also provided information on the current status of simulator hardware as well as the qualifications of such instructors. -- A review of the literature revealed that there were a number of issues to be investigated related to the use of simulation. The review identified five areas of simulator operation in which the attitudes and perceptions of the instructor could have an effect on training outcomes. These areas were: general simulator operation, exercise development, exercise briefing, exercise running and exercise de-briefing. -- Data for the study were gathered by means of a single questionnaire specifically designed for this study. The content validity of the study was ensured by having three experts assess each item. -- On the basis of the study it was concluded that, while there were statistically significant differences on a number of the individual statements, overall the attitudes and perceptions of instructors toward simulator training were very similar. In general, all groups reacted positively to the majority of statements in all five areas. Many responses from the various sub-groups investigated produced means close to the neutral value of 2.5 which indicated some degree of uncertainty. Such areas of uncertainty require clarification and could be addressed in a programme of study designed specifically to prepare marine simulator instructors. -- Generally, it was found that the attitudes and perceptions of marine simulator instructors were remarkably similar based on most of the variables investigated. The findings of this study can be used to improve simulator training effectiveness at the Marine Institute and other simulator facilities through implementation of the recommendations contained within. It was recommended that further studies be conducted to identify effective teaching methodologies, attitudes and perceptions of trainees and ship owners toward simulator training and learning theories which could be applied to improve simulator training effectiveness. There is also a need for a longitudinal study into the transfer of skills achieved through simulation to real world ship operation.

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