Development and Transfer of Timesharing Skills

Abstract

This experiment identifies the contribution of timesharing skills to performance on two qualitatively different task combinations.To examine this contribution, a measurement technique was developed which partitioned improvement in multiple-task performance into a comoonent due to improved single-task skills and a component due to improved timesharing skills.Transfer of timesharing skills between the task combinations also was examined.The results indicated that identifiable timesharing skills developed with practice and contributed significantly to performance on both task combinations.Evidence of transfer of timesharing skills also was found. The implications of the results for training are discussed.BACKGROUND

A Comparison of Single- and Dual-Task Measures to Predict Pilot Performance.

“…the results of previous work by Damos (1977). Five subjects had scores below this cutoff and were subsequently eliminated.…”

“…had scores below a cutoff point on the dual-task tracking, which again was established based on previous work by Damos (1977).…”

“…is a major determinant of dual-task performance (Damos, 1977), the correlastion between late dual-task and late single-task performance easily could have been increased if a dual-task strategy had been employed during single-task performance.…”

Individual differences in dual-task performance.

“…However, it was selected for use in this experiment for three reasons. First, it has all of the characteristics of a true dual-task combination as discussed in an earlier publication (Damos, 1977). Second, there is a large body -~f data available on this task combination.…”

“…Previous research (Damos, 1977) indicated that a subject's response strategy was easily identified as one of the three described above. Additionally, the subjects were found to adopt one of the three strategies within the first 3 rin of performance and to use that strategy throughout the rest of the experimental session.…”