PRODUCT CAtALOGUE
Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, Centre for Applied Innovative Learning Technologies
Dear partner, In the constantly changing world it often happens that accidents will happen when and where we least expect them. The saying is true especially in cases when the lives and destinies of hundreds if not thousands of people are affected. If we knew which challenges await for us tomorrow we could prepare for them and practice handling with today. Unfortunately, the reality is that the constantly developing technology, the society’s pursuit of perfection, let alone more complex relationships between people and states, bring along a number of potential situations of crisis for which it is impossible to write a uniform handbook. However, when there is no handbook, there is no common knowledge of what is the right or wrong rule of behaviour in situations like that. In this case, solving a situation depends on a million different variables, which genres may change very quickly. In order to cope with difficult situations, in many European countries there have been imitation technologies developed that help to imitate similar complex situations and give the people
involved a unique chance to test relevant processes of judgement. We have developed a similar development centre in the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, which is the only institution in Estonia offering the on topic training. Having received the acknowledgment from different international evaluators, we are open to all partners from Estonia and abroad to use the modern technologies for making our living environment more secure. If this material brings you to an understanding we could complement each other achieving the named goal, please do not hesitate to contact us. Lauri Tabur rector
Welcome to the Centre for Innovative Applied Learning Technologies The Centre for Innovative Applied Learning Technologies (CIALT) is a developmental unit in the Institute of Internal Security at the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences. Its main aim is to offer the structures of internal security and related partners an interactive development and training service in order to achieve the best possible results. We have implemented and united the most modern virtual learning environments, professional excellence and experience-based study methodology so that we could offer you the best quality when achieving the goals of your organisation. Depending on the need for training we compose and design a training product that meets the peculiarities of your organisation. We are always open to new challenges and cooperation projects. The present CIALT product catalogue has been aimed to introduce new training possibilities in the modern study environment of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences.
The products and services of CIALT The products of CIALT can roughly be divided into three categories: 1. development of interactive learning environments; 2. training at interactive virtual environments; 3. technical support for the applied researches in the sphere of internal security.
Development of the learning methodology in the sphere of interael safety
Offering and organisation of a training service
Services CIALT offers
Technological support for the research activities in the sphere of internal security
Interactive learning and practice environments The main aim of CIALT’s learning environments is to offer the officials of internal security a training experience in a situation that is as realistic as possible. We are sure that the best learning experience is achieved through individual approach, and by conducting the training in an authentic context, which helps to create a linkage between the first-hand experience and the future work situation. Virtual learning and practice environments help to control the level of stress, timely performance and repetitiveness, making it possible to receive instant feedback and support from the instructor.
Interactive learning method The combined method used in CIALT joins the best practices and technological solutions, which considering the individual learning habits and preferences, help to balance the engagement of the mental processes of a trainee. Studies show that efficient and balanced training methods in an authentic learning environment created by virtual tools, help to achieve a defined learning output and a desired constant change of behaviour in a work situation 30% more effectively than the methods of passive learning used in the past. Every training scenario relies on a problematic situation which solution procedure is supported, directed, and if possible evaluated by an instructor. Owing to technological solutions feedback is instant, which in turn makes it easier to consolidate.
Variations of methods A flexible learning environment enables to support different learning goals. Depending on the level of the learning outcome or on the trainee’s prior experience, the following training situations can arise: By giving individual tasks more than one practice environments can appear in one room, a trainee moves from one situation to another by giving his own theoretical solutions similarly to what we have in miniature learning.
Classic A trainer gives examples, rules of procedure, solution procedures etc. in a form of a lecture or a seminar. The main aim is to raise awareness or to present new theoretical material in a practical context (drawing 1). Individual
Classic
Drawing 1. Classic learning environment
Team training Suitable for trainees with prior professional experience. Problem situations are dealt with in role plays; the control circuit previously agreed upon is followed (drawing 2). According to the instructor’s involvement, team trainings are divided into three: 1. Beginners – the problem situations of the training scenarios are covered with the instructor’s relatively constant help, the trainee observes and discusses. 2. Advanced – the trainees solve the incident, they receive feedback from the instructor from time to time but need to reach the “best” solution on their own. 3. Exam – the trainer does not get involved while solving the problem situation, he/she later gives general evaluation.
Head of a unit
General commander
Headquarters Discussion
Drawing 2. In-Unit training
In a multi-disciplinary training, also known as co-operational training, different services are dealing with the same situation simultaneously. In addition to different departments, it is also possible to add command levels and related units (drawing 3). Meeskonna treening
Police
Rescue Service
Drawing 3. A multi-disciplinary exercise
Ambulance service
In case of both mono and multi-disciplinary training situations methodologies can be combined. The following table has been added as an example of the sequence of possible training services and their usage (table 1). Table 1. Target groups and levels of trainings
I.; II.; III. Command level (XVR+ ISEE) I.; II.; III. Command level (XVR) I.; II. Command level (XVR+ ISEE)
I.; II. Command level (XVR)
National Rescue Service Ambulance service Co-operational trainings (co-operational tasks for different boards) Company’s rescue unit (Airport rescue service) Security companies Police Police Special Squads Prison Service Prisons’ armed squad Demining Centre Estonian Railways
Educational software used at CIALT Since 2012 there have been 3 different educational software solutions used at CIALT: XVR, ISEE and Language robot. All solutions can be combined or used separately, depending on the set aims of trainings.
Educational software XVR – virtual scene Virtual simulation software XVR has been aimed to develop operational and tactical readiness of the services of internal security (rescue service, police, ambulance, border guard etc.) to deal with the consequences of large scale accidents or catastrophes. Using a joystick in XVR environments every official can easily move in a simulated situation in a virtual reality, which helps him/her to observe and evaluate the incident, give commands and control resources at the spot, but also carry out a triage and plan strategic points of the scene. In XVR there are more than 20 different environments, where it is possible to construct situations according to the given learning outputs.
Educational software ISEE – logistics and III level management ISEE is software for resource planning, managing and logistics, based on a map application, which enables to simulate a real situation practise the III command level. It is possible to insert an existing operative resource with logistic and time parameters. The program enables to practice alarming a unit, different tactical solutions and a general chain of command.
Language robot – simulator for learning professional language With the help of language robot it is easy to check your pronunciation and practice language in a professional context. On a page “Exercises�, there are topics under which simple sentences have been collected, which a learner can listen and repeat. Later the language robot analyses the pronunciation and compares it with the example. If the similarity is sufficient, the next sentence is displayed. More information about the robot: www.keelerobot.eu
Information analysis and systems’ imitation simulators used at CIALT In addition to the support for learning and training CIALT offers modern opportunities for carrying out researches in the field of internal security. The software in use enables to do data analysis, and visualisr the results.
Evacuation simulator Pathfinder Pathfinder, the software used in EASS is an evacuation simulator, which models peoples’ movements by using the latest achievements of computer technology that is also used in gaming and computer graphics industries.
http://www.sisekaitse.ee/virtuaalsimulatsioon/tarkvara/pathfinder/
PyroSim – graphical simulation for fire dynamics PyroSim is a graphical user interface simulator used for fire simulation. It also shows smoke movement, temperature and the concentration of toxic matters during a fire.
KOSMAS – strategic imitation system KOSMAS is an imitation system meant for the scientific study of the functional process of the operative structure units of the rescue service and for the expertise for operation-tactical solutions.
STRES – efficient data analysis Software program STRES is meant for automatic processing of the statistic data of rescue services. STRES is compatible with a software program KOSMAS, which enables complete data analysis and graphic presentation.
What are the benefits of simulation? There is a possibility to practise situations from road accidents to plane catastrophes because virtual situations can take place in locations where carrying out real trainings is difficult or impossible, those can involve water bodies, border points, ports, populous areas. Constructing programs is easier and it takes less time than in a real situation. In the object library, where there are more than 600 objects, one can choose the most suitable one and place it into the scene. Making a scenario takes 20 minutes, they can be saved and replayed, which again saves the time used for preparing and organising trainings.There is a possibility to take different roles. The instructor has an overview and control over the equipment and human resource. It is also possible to change the course of the incidents flexibly and change the level of difficulty according to the decisions made or orders given by a trainee. In a team training students meet both virtually and in real life. Similar to what they encounter in a real work situation. In the training situation a trainee’s individual level of skills is taken into account – this cannot be done in real-life training. Active, realistic and intensive learning
method helps the trainer see if studying takes place or not, and what is the level of competency the trainee has. Strain and stress brought about in the course of the training seem real because the dilemmas and problems that occur are similar to what may occur in a real life situation. Feedback is instant because the decisions made and actions done are visible at once. Cases can be reused for new trainees, which makes simulation suitable for consolidation and testing standard procedures. Studying can take place anytime, anywhere and in any weather. Resources are used optimally. When the programs are ready different trainings with different scenarios and target groups can be organised with a relatively low administrative cost. This makes teaching/studying more versatile. Virtual trainings are not meant to replace real life trainings – they complement them, which also rises the effectiveness of real life trainings. Through virtual trainings it is also good to consolidate the knowledge acquired at training or at work.
What does studying in a virtual simulation give? Training environments that imitate real situations increase teaching realism, improve study results and knowledge transfer. When studying a mental model of what has been studied forms in students’ heads. When using knowledge in real life it is done according to the previously formed mental model, in other words, the competences acquired in a virtual reality appear later in a real work situation. In 3 years we have taught 1240 operative officials. Based on our experience it can be said that those trainees taking part in a training of the same level of difficulty for the second time, make less mistakes when acting out exercises than they did when they participated for the first time. Thus it can be said that virtual simulation studies are efficient when creating mental models. Studying on a simulator is as efficient as or even more efficient than doing the exercises in a real life situation because the level of difficulty can be related to the level of skills.
Feedback from trainings Environment exercises are used more often when acquiring vocational or higher education in the field of rescuing, but also when continuing education in rescue services in order to maintain a good quality, but also in order to root a uniform thinking model, co-operation and methods in all services.
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Raoul Raidna Chief Executive Officer of Emergency Services Department Estonian Rescue Service  n Since the new method helps to improve both trainers and trainees, it can definitely be said that using
virtual simulation as a part of a training activity is efficient. Programs are expensive, but it is possible to organise different trainings in a short period of time and make studying/teaching more versatile with administrative costs being relatively low. Different boards acquire uniform methods and tactics for action, which in real life should increase the quality of services and the society’s satisfaction. Margus Kotter Police Major Police and Border Guard Board Public Order Police Department Manager of the Development Bureau
n The named learning environment covers the previously absent training capacity, the training needs of
both the just started and already experienced workers. It is also vital when doing tactical training for the emergency medical services incident commanders. Raul Adlas Head doctor Tallinn Emergency Medical Service Member of the board Union of Estonian Medical Finding and developing new methods is one of the main activities the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences as an educational institution has. Information and communication technology today enables us to feel the line between the reality and virtual reality, which in turn helps us to practice preparedness for the worst scenarios without enormous costs. The trainings we offer have to be quick, effective and available to the necessary target group. If in a situation of crisis, technology and correct teaching methods help us to save at least on life, we have already gained from our investment. Lauri Tabur Rector Estonian Academy of Security Sciences
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Feedback from trainees We got practice for solving very serious situations. It was important to think and experience different situations. Creating environments like that is not impossible in regular trainings. First-hand contacts with top specialists, practical and theoretical knowledge were clearly linked. n The training made me think that not only using powers is important, but also solving and knowing technical nuances. We learned to use the resources and existing team work equipment of our region. Problems we need to draw more attention to arose. n Good feedback. Content rich and with a practical value. Lively discussion gave me many ideas. All brilliant things are actually simple. It is important to gather and spread information at the same time, it works really well at trainings. n It is good we got to use the resources available in our region. It made me think a bit different and thus the training was more efficient. n It helped me understand which resources we have in our region. In order to maintain or improve our skills, events like that should take place more often. Training is also a place where we share our thoughts and ideas. n We can practise situations we do not encounter on daily basis. n
Contacts and trainings
Marek Link Estonian Academy of Security Sciences Institute for Internal Security Manager of the Centre for Innovative Applied Learning Technologies
Liisa Laid Estonian Academy of Security Sciences Institute for Internal Security Centre for Innovative Applied Learning Technologies Assistant of development projects
61, Kase str., 12012 Tallinn Phone: +372 696 5432 Mob: +372 555 93 882 marek.link@sisekaitse.ee
61 Kase str., 12012 Tallinn, Estonia Phone: +372 696 5492 Mob: +372 522 47 48 liisa.laid@sisekaitse.ee
www.sisekaitse.ee/eass/cialt/