Integration of a System Simulator in the training of perceptive-motor abilities needed for container-handling crane manipulation

Abstract

The advantages offered by the use of simulators are self evident specially when, as it is the case of container-handling crane manipulation, it involves training operators for machines so expensive and dangerous. Nevertheless, and probably due to the difficulties inherent to the complex integration of its contents, there are few instructional programs assisted by simulators that make the most of the advantages they provide. In our view, performing both a task and an expert knowledge analysis is the first requisite towards the development of such programs. Once gathered, that information should contribute a great deal to evaluate the simulator's fidelity, which in turn is an essential complement of the instructional design development. Following this procedure, and applying the 4ICD Model (Van Merriénboer, 1997), the instructional design macrostructure has been defined, taking into consideration eight different learning modules for the training of complementary skills.