I/ITSEC - Professional Development Workshop by ANT Neuro

PDW13 • ROOM 210B

Training — across domains — is more effective and more efficient when the content and pace are personalized to the individual learner. Neurophysiological measures provide objective, actionable insights into the dynamic cognitive and emotional processes underlying the acquisition of complex knowledge and skills. For example, failure on a task may reflect underdeveloped skills (i.e., the trainee needs more instruction or practice at the current level), or it may reflect an attentional lapse due to boredom (i.e., the trainee needs a new challenge) or stress (i.e., the trainee needs to take a break). These scenarios require vastly different approaches, but are indistinguishable with performance data alone. Biometrics that track attention, stress, workload, effort, and so on, can enable instructors to respond appropriately in the moment or during adter-action review. Recent advances in wearable neurotechnology and data science have moved these ideas from the laboratory into the field: it is now not only possible but practical to collect biometric data, even in challenging environments, to enhance and accelerate training.

Led by Dr. Jonathan Drucker (ANT Neuro) and Dr. Marisa Biondi (eye tracking consultant), this tutorial will focus on data collection and analysis for three neurophysiological methods: electroencephalography (EEG), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and eye tracking (ET). Acquired simultaneously, these three modalities paint a robust picture of the current mental, affective, and attentional state of the trainee. Participants will learn relevant fundamentals of biology and sensor technology, followed by a hands-on session with sophisticated neurotechnology (high-density EEG, fNIRS, and wearable eye tracking glasses). Together, instructors and participants will collect real data as volunteers perform an operationally relevant training task. We will demonstrate analysis techniques using both professional and open-source tools, and discuss how the results can be leveraged in training and into the career field.

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