The effect of training with authentic activities and instructor scaffolding on the situation awareness of instrument flight students

This study investigated the effectiveness of situated learning as an educational methodology for improving the situation awareness (SA) of instrument flight students. A true experiment with pretest, posttest, and control group was performed to determine if authentic activity and scaffolding, applied to existing training curriculum would improve SA. Explicit SA training was not provided.;A sample of 40 pilots from the local area who were in need of instrument flight training were randomly assigned to experimental groups. Treatments consisted of three lessons in a FAA-approved ground trainer device. SA was measured using the Instrument Pilot Situation Awareness Test (IPSAT) that was developed and validated as part of this study.;Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis with pretest and prior flight experience as covariates. Results indicated no significant improvement in SA scores as measured by IPSAT as a result of authentic activity or instructor scaffolding. Suggested areas for future research include the effect of situated learning on different levels of SA, improved methods for instructor training in situated learning and SA, and explicit SA training with instrument flight students.