Streamlined Maritime Education & Training

The maritime field has seen significant technological advancements in recent years, with a predominant focus on hardware. However, hardware is only half of the solution, as the human aspect—learning and training sailors to effectively operate hardware—is often overlooked. As the maritime environment becomes increasingly complex, it is crucial to address the gap in advanced training for sailors and officers. By providing state-of-the-art training programs based on evidence-based learning methods and incorporating insights into how the brain works, we can tailor our programs to individual learning needs, improving the quality of training while saving time. By balancing technological advancements with innovative training methods, we can cultivate a highly skilled and adaptable maritime workforce capable of meeting the challenges that lie ahead.

Evaluating Automation Technology to Support Reduced Manning in Naval Operations

As naval operations shift toward reduced manning, automation technology has become critical to maintaining performance with smaller crews. We were the first to develop a practical guideline, supported by neuroscience, for assessing whether automation technology effectively reduces cognitive workload in these settings. Using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), we measured brain activity in operators engaged in both manual and automated tasks. This allowed us to observe where automation technology successfully lowered mental demands—and where it inadvertently added cognitive strain.

Our guideline, validated through a use case, provides the navy with a scientifically grounded approach to integrating automation that supports reduced manning. This framework ensures that automation technology enhances efficiency without compromising cognitive performance, guiding decision-makers on where automation technology can best relieve operational demands.

Operational Team-Based Learning (OTBL)

In response to the unique challenges faced by sailors and officers in the maritime environment, we have developed the Operational Team-Based Learning (OTBL) program. This innovative approach combines the strengths of team-based learning with practical, hands-on experiences while at sea, ensuring that participants can effectively apply their learning in real-world situations.

Key components of the OTBL program:

Contextualization: The program is designed to address the specific challenges and demands faced by sailors and officers, preparing them to excel in the maritime field.
Flexible and adaptive curriculum: The OTBL curriculum focuses on immediate practical application, with built-in adaptability to accommodate the ever-changing operational environment. The curriculum incorporates adaptive learning elements to ensure that the program remains relevant and useful in various situations.
Collaborative learning: The OTBL approach emphasizes collaboration within onboard teams, encouraging participants to share their expertise, experiences, and insights to enhance learning outcomes for everyone involved.
Assessment and feedback: A robust assessment system, incorporating a mix of formative and summative assessments as well as peer evaluations, will be used to evaluate the learning outcomes of participants. Regular feedback will be provided to help participants identify areas for improvement and track their progress.
Integration with existing training programs: The OTBL approach will be integrated with existing training programs, complementing and enhancing these initiatives as part of a broader strategy for improving performance and readiness in the maritime field.
Scalability and sustainability: The program is designed to be scalable and sustainable, with the ability to adapt to the evolving needs of Maritime Education and Training. Facilitators, materials, and resources will be updated regularly to maintain their relevance and effectiveness.

Implementing OTBL

Implementation steps for the OTBL approach:

Define SMART learning objectives that address the unique challenges and demands of the maritime environment.
Develop a flexible and adaptive curriculum that covers the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies, emphasizing immediate practical application.
Select and train facilitators with experience in the maritime field and teach them how to implement the OTBL approach and provide feedback to participants.
Develop materials and resources, such as reading materials, videos, case studies, and practical exercises, that support the learning objectives and curriculum.
Implement the program at sea, organizing participants into teams and providing them with materials and resources to complete the self-study and team-based learning activities.
Evaluate the program to determine its effectiveness in achieving the learning objectives and gather feedback from participants and facilitators to make adjustments and improvements.

NeuroTargeted Training

Our NeuroTargeted Training (NTT) provides real-time brain activity measurements that can enhance training by tailoring it to individual cognitive needs. Using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), we monitor key regions in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) associated with decision-making, focus, and cognitive load. By comparing the brain activity patterns of novice trainees with those of experienced operators, we identify specific areas of cognitive discrepancy. These insights allowed us to pinpoint individualized training needs and adapt training protocols accordingly.

Our research findings demonstrate that trainees could reach proficiency more efficiently when training was aligned with their unique cognitive profiles. Additionally, we observed that NTT enabled instructors to determine the optimal level of mental challenge, enhancing engagement without overwhelming cognitive capacity. Our study highlights the value of NTT as an innovative, neuroscience-informed approach to training that can significantly improve skill acquisition and readiness, especially in high-stakes environments.

Partners

AVR Maritime

Our partner AVR Maritime from The Netherlands provides comprehensive support for your maritime integration processes and projects, drawing on extensive hands-on experience in multidisciplinary engineering, R&D, and ship operations, combined with the latest academic developments and insights.