A Delphi study on analysis structures for PC-based training simulations

When designing a training simulation delivered via a personal computer (PC), instructional designers face the difficult task of how to organize their content in the analysis and design phases. In addition to task analysis, instructional designers face the added requirement of modeling their content to support two goals: developing a structure that can be computed and creating a representation of the mental model the designer is trying to help the learner develop. Instructional Systems Design (ISD) does not address the question of which modeling approaches are most appropriate for different types of content when designing a PC-based training simulation. This study applied the Delphi technique by assessing the input of six experts in training simulation design. Using four rounds of inquiry, the study participants identified 11 content areas and 21 modeling approaches that are appropriate for PC-based training simulations. Next, they identified which approaches were appropriate or partially appropriate for each of the content types. The intent of the study was to organize these relationships into a matrix which instructional designers may use as they select modeling approaches during the analysis and design phases of a training simulation project. The findings indicate which modeling approaches are appropriate; however, they do not necessarily identify those approaches which are most appropriate. The findings do provide a starting point, though, for further research into the characteristics of the modeling approaches or the context of the content that would make one method more appropriate than another.