Computer Based Training
I
t is clear that for the foresee- system (hand search of luggage, use “...a Security
able future the effectiveness of of trace detection equipment, hand
the security process will rely on search or ‘wanding’ of passengers, Officer is likely to
the professionalism, expertise, and and the screening of luggage through
proficiency of the security officer. A X-ray) all require the application make in excess of
Security Officer is likely to make in of high levels of competencies
excess of one million critical deci- and skills from the security officer one million critical
sions per year to ensure that passen- and all demand effective training
gers, their luggage, and goods are to achieve not just the baseline decisions
safe to travel. The security officers standards of performance but the
who operate the secuity screening highest operational standards. per year...”
checkpoints are one of the most The ability of the security officer
critical assets in delivering a pro- to detect prohibited items through For the X-ray screening task, there
portionate response to the threat of the interpretation of X-ray images of are many different ways in which
terrorism and one day, one decision passenger luggage is a key element computer technology can be used
made by one Security Officer will be in ensuring the security of our in training but the focus here is on
the one thing that prevents or allows aviation system. It is also one of the off-line CBT. The off-line CBT that
a catastrophe. Understanding how to more challenging aspects of the tasks is currently available can be divided
recruit, train, and mange the perfor- undertaken at the checkpoint. The into two main types; computer
mance effectiveness of the security screening of passengers’ baggage based instruction, and computer
officers is fundamental to ensuring a through X-ray interpretation involves based simulation; however, many
safe and secure aviation system that visual perception, image recognition, CBT systems are composed of a
is able to detect and deter hostile and decision making components. It combination of these two.
acts. Having a motivated, competent is a difficult and complex task and the Computer based instruction - The
workforce that is able to provide sus- skill develops gradually over time. main purpose of computer based
tainable and persistent security provi- The application and use of computer instruction is the development of
sion that not only meets the baseline based training (CBT) is vitally knowledge, which should have a
standards but achieves the highest important in supporting effective and beneficial effect on the operational
operational standards is a challenge efficient security in our airports. skills in detecting prohibited items.
that is faced by governments, regu- Training usually consists of curriculum
lators, and airports. The graphic What is CBT? modules which provide information
below is a simple representation of Computer based training is the utilisa- on a particular topic area and have
the integration that must be achieved tion of computer technology to provide questions and applied examples
to support a sustainable and resilient training which harness the opportuni- throughout, enabling trainees to check
aviation security system. It repre- ties in multi-media methods to improve their understanding and gain feedback
sents the often forgotten relationship the design of training packages. during the lesson, which supports
between the operators of the system, Computer based training can their learning. Lesson material can
the technology used, the environ- be defined by the following be supplemented and enhanced with
ment in which this operates, and the characteristics; a variety of alternative stimuli such
processes and procedures required as video clips, dynamic diagrams
to mediate the operational task. • There is clear statement of objec- and pictures, and employing tests at
tive, with clear identification of the end of each unit can check the
performance standards development of trainees’ knowledge.
• The material to be learned is Simulation - Simulations use
presented serially with identifi- computers to represent important
able steps aspects of a task, and provide a
• Frequent and unambiguous safe environment in which to develop
responses are required for the and practise necessary skills, for
student throughout the learning example learning the practical
sequence skills of how to operate an X-ray
• Feedback of information about machine and interpret an X-ray
Efficient and cost-effective training the correctness or otherwise of image, through a replication of the
of the Security Officer to achieve the response is provided at each actual task. Different simulations
the skills, competencies, and abilities stage of the learning sequence can have different levels of fidelity,
required operationally is a critical • A response comparator is in terms of their representation of
element in ensuring a secure aviation implicit in the feedback to judge the image and of the X-ray system
system. The range of tasks undertaken between actual and desired user interface. The real key to the
at the checkpoint security screening response success of simulations as training
December 2009 Aviationsecurityinternational www.asi-mag.com 17
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