Whitcher.qxp 1/7/09 3:25 pm Page 71
Role of Simulators in Appraising Competence
(incorrect actions). The MPRI automated assessment tool analyses all
Figure 3: Monitoring Student Progress by Tree Structure Diagram
possible pattern combinations utilising the Bayesian theory of
probability. The result is a series of patterns that represent failures and
a series of patterns that represent passes. Some pass patterns are more
correct than others; equally, some fail patterns are more incorrect than
others. At the extremes, the candidate has clearly passed or failed, but
there is a zone of overlap between pass and fail patterns where there
is the risk of passing an ignorant candidate or failing a knowledgeable
one. This can be likened to the task faced by the human assessor who
has to make a decision on a candidate who has made some errors and
is therefore not a perfect pass or an obvious failure.
When a test is constructed, a severity option can be selected from 0 to
100%: 0% severity puts the pass mark at the lower end of the pink
uncertainty range (see Figure 2), meaning that it is possible that a
candidate demonstrating a fail pattern will pass, while 100% puts the
pass mark at the top end of the pink uncertainty range, meaning that
it is possible that a candidate demonstrating a pass pattern could fail,
and only a candidate who demonstrates clear pass patterns can pass.
Thus, the degree of confidence in the result can be adjusted to suit the
importance of the test.
Figure 4: Monitoring Student Progress by Plot of Scores
Exercise 7 (27/5/08) – Cycle 42
Monitoring Student Progress
The MPRI automatic assessment system monitors the status of the 1,000
vessel, passes this through its expert system every 20 seconds and
calculates the current candidate score. Candidate progress can
therefore be monitored throughout, rather than just providing a score
at the end of the operation. This provides the assessor with an 500
at-a-glance overview of progress at any given stage. Progress is
demonstrated in two ways, as detailed below.
Tree Structure of Tests and Rules 0
10203040
As can be seen from Figure 3, the overarching test is expanded into its
Cycles
component tests, which in turn are expanded into their component
JanAddis Test 1 = 941 JanAddis Test 3 = 766 JanAddis Test 5 = 999
rules. Tests and rules have a unique numerical identifier, which is
JanAddis Test 2 = 922 JanAddis Test 4 = 828 JanAddis Test 6 = 875
prefixed with the letter T for a test and R for a rule. Some rules are
positive (things that should happen); these are indicated with a black Conclusion
circle to show that it should happen but has not yet occurred, while a Assessing competence goes beyond the simple multiple-choice tests
yellow circle indicates that it should happen and has happened. Some that are commonly used in maritime training centres. Observation of
rules are negative (things that should not happen); a green circle performance in the workplace could be a useful method, but is not
indicates something that should not happen and has not happened, easy to implement in practice. Simulators provide an environment
while a red circle indicates something that should not happen but has. where performance can be observed, but there needs to be a clear,
Performance within tests is broken down into seven levels, which are objective, documented and repeatable method of assessing, which is
indicated by a range of symbols from a red triangle indicating a difficult when using different human assessors. Simulator assessment
complete failure through to a purple circle indicating the perfect tools are now emerging that will help in the assessment of
student. All of these symbols are updated automatically at user-defined competence. However, since competence is a complex construct, these
intervals (for example every minute), which provides a continuous systems alone should not be thought of as an automated panacea;
dynamic indication of candidate performance. ultimately, a human assessor is still the final arbiter of whether
candidate performance is competent. However, automated assessment
Student Progress Graph systems are useful tools that will increase the objectivity and reliability
The second method of observing and recording student progress is in of competence assessment. ■
a graphical format, as shown in Figure 4. This displays the current score
for the overarching test for the operation and the sub-tests from which Acknowledgement
it is comprised. As more individual tests are completed satisfactorily, This is a condensed version of a paper originally presented at GasTech
the overall test score rises; equally, if things go wrong, the individual 2009 in Abu Dhabi in May 2009 by Alan Whitcher and Ray Gillett,
test and overall test scores will fall. Director of UK Operations for MPRI.
1. Smith K, Hancock PA, Situation awareness is adaptive, externally directed consciousness, Human Factors, 2005;37(1):137–48.
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