Accelerated Learning (?)

Abstract

We wish to pose accelerated learning as a challenge for intelligent systems technology. Research on intelligent tutoring systems has proved that accelerated learning is possible. The Sherlock tutor for electronics troubleshooting, for example, condensed four years of on-the-job training to approximately 25 hours, compressing the duration of the experience-feedback-learning cycle. But accelerated learning should refer to more than the hastening of basic proficiency. It reaches across the proficiency scale to the question of how to accelerate the achievement of expertise, and whether that is even possible. Paralleling this question are practical issues, including the military's need to conduct training at a rapid pace, and the issues of workforce and loss of expertise. Many organizations such as the US Department of Defense, NASA, and the electric utilities are at risk because of the imminent retirement of domain practitioners who handle the most difficult and mission-critical challenges. To accelerate proficiency, we must facilitate the acquisition of extensive, highly organized knowledge. We must also accelerate the acquisition of expert-level reasoning skills and strategies. But that's just the beginning of the challenge.