Training for Generalization in Technical Domains

Recorded August 8, 2017

Applying what you know in new situations, for new goals, or with different resources is a hallmark of successful learning. Generalizing what you know and transferring your skills and knowledge to new settings will be a key success factor in future long-distance exploration missions. In work domains relying on use of complex technology, we propose that these three types of skills and knowledge enable generalization: a) a mental model of a device, b) procedures for carrying out work using the device, and particularly, c) an integrated understanding of relationships between the device and procedures for using it. Our research investigates this proposal. Here we report results from an exploratory study of how training for integration affects performance on generalizing to tasks varying in similarity to the training tasks.