Publications & Resources

An Exploratory Investigation of the Effect of Individualized Computer-Based Instruction on Rifle Marksmanship Performance and Skill

Mar 2009

Gregory K. W. K. Chung, Sam O. Nagashima, Paul D. Espinosa, Chris Berka, and Eva L. Baker

In this report, researchers examined whether individualized multimedia-based instruction would influence the development of rifle marksmanship skills in novice shooters with little or no prior rifle marksmanship experience. Forty-eight novice shooters used an M4 rifle training simulator system to shoot at an 8-inch target at a simulated distance of 200 yards. Participants received either (a) no instruction, (b) only an overview of rifle marksmanship, or (c) an overview and instruction targeted at particular skill gaps. Support was found for the idea that multimedia-based instruction can be highly effective for novices, with a large increase in shooting performance observed after 10 to 15 minutes of multimedia instruction. Subsequent individualized instruction using very short multimedia instruction appeared to be effective in shaping participants’ skills toward an “ideal” state consistent with shooting doctrine.

Chung, G. K. W. K., Nagashima, S. O., Espinosa, P. D., Berka, C., & Baker, E. L. (2009). An exploratory investigation of the effect of individualized computer-based instruction on rifle marksmanship performance and skill (CRESST Report 754). Los Angeles: University of California, Los Angeles, National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST).