Drill Acquisition in Weapon Handling: Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Experimental Multimedia Revision Tool

Multi-media is widely regarded as useful in discrete psychomotor skills training and re-familiarisation. However, the effective exploitation of multi-media in Defence requires an empirical evaluation of its effectiveness compared to traditional training methods. Sixty-four participants undertaking weapon handling drills training were assigned to one of two groups: an experimental multimedia revision tool group and a standard training only control group. No difference in weapon handling test performance was observed between the groups, demonstrating there was no negative effect on learning. The real utility of multi-media may be in retention of discrete psychomotor skills rather than their acquisition when physical hands-on practice is not possible.