A Brief History of Computer Based Training

Computer Based Training or CBT is now widelybased training only got more popular.
adopted in education, corporate training for learning anyAs technology progressed, computer based training
subject from math, history to sales skill, customercourses were also getting better. By the late 90's, CBT
support and project management. The driving forcewas full of video, streaming audio, and a wide array of
behind the maturity of CBT industry, however, hastopics. This type of computer based training was
been aviation industry.picked up by universities worldwide. This is when online
In the 1980's, Computer based training and simulationcourses began to take full form. Universities provided
were introduced to pilot training programs to reduceonline classes to those who just couldn't attend real
the training cost and avoid the safety issue in on-sitecourses. Filled with video lectures and practice exams,
training. The Aviation Industry Computer-Based Trainingstudents were able to work at their own pace.
Committee (AICC), an international association ofAlthough this sounded like a tough idea, students loved
technology-based training professionals, oversees andthe invention. It not only allowed the already employed
develops guidelines for aviation industry in the design,to get more education, but it helped those with learning
implementation, delivery, and evaluation of CBT.disabilities work on their own time.
In the early 90's, CBT had made its way intoCBT has gone far beyond the minds of college
educational institutes and corporate market. Thesestudents. Amazingly, it has also reached aviation
instructional manuals were text based and oftentraining. Computer based training now allows potential
taught the user how to complete particular lessons.pilots to use simulated airfare and courses designed to
Unfortunately, computers were still progressing at thathelp them understand the concepts involved. Due to
time, which made it difficult to add into classrooms. Atthe fact that many people prefer learning in a quiet
the time, teachers still did not agree with using strictlyenvironment, so that they can review frequently, CBT
based CBT programs. While this was a great way tohas become widely popular among aviation schools.
learn topics without having to be rushed, theThese computer programs also teach aviation supplies
technology fell short. It wasn't until the later years thatinformation, and other necessities. As a result, pilots
full multimedia, which included audio and video, wascan fly easily with their david clark headsets, knowing
integrated into these lessons. From there, computerthat they know everything about aircraft supplies.