Topic 200

Training, tutorials, simulators by Tommy

Certain professions require more than rote learning out of textbooks. Enlisting in the air force or police force requires that one have some sort of hands-on experience before testing his or her skills in the field. This is where field training and simulators can come in very handy. In the area of computer graphics or any other sort of crafting work, hands on training and tutorials are a must.

In the military or police, sending someone out into the field with nothing but information and tactics memorized from textbooks is a surefire way to failure. In order to be efficient in what they do, police and military personnel must have some sort of hands-on experience, which can be obtained through training simulations, in which fake scenarios are created based on real life situations, and the trainee must try and overcome obstacles. This is an essential part of every new recruit’s training. If they are only exposed to classroom learning, then they will not be able to experience the adrenaline rush and required quick decision making that is part of field training.

This is not to say that classroom learning is not necessary; people still need it to pick up basic skills and tactics. Field training is where these skills and tactics are put to practical use. Indeed, the main reason why field training should be required is simply because imagining situations in your head and actually experiencing them are two completely different things. A person may feel confident and know all procedures and maneuvers, but he or she may break under pressure when faced with the intensity of a real and potentially dangerous situation.
The benefits for having simulations in pilot training are numerous. It is not enough to have read and memorized how to fly a plane from a textbook; as in military and police work, hands-on experience is essential. However, having a trainee fly a plane without ever having operated one before can be potentially fatal.

A simulation allows for the person to experience what it is like to fly, without all the dangers of actually flying. This makes it a very good way to teach budding pilots to fly. An alternative to this could be to have a plane that holds two passengers, each with their own set of controls. One seat is occupied by an experienced pilot, while the other is occupied by the trainee. This way, if the trainee suddenly finds himself in a situation where he would otherwise be killed, the experienced pilot can take over and make sure that they have a safe landing.

With computer graphics and other crafting work, tutorials can help immensely due to the fact that people can also learn new techniques while following the steps in the tutorial. Tutorials also make things more interesting for new learners, as they are less likely to become bored if they are actually using their hands to create things. This way, they can pick up information faster.

Classroom and textbook learning are clearly not the only ways in which people can learn things for their jobs. In fact, restricting someone to only these methods of learning would severely impair their ability to perform well. This is why simulations and tutorials are necessary to provide individuals with the experience that they need to do well.