The disadvantageous but appealing use of visual guidance in procedural skills training

The use of visual guidance tools in procedural tasks training is considered to improve performance. However, facilitating training with visual guidance tools may also impair skill transfer, because of the possibility of inhibiting active task exploration. The present work examined four different kinds of visual guidance tools which can facilitate training: visual pointing aid; visual pointing aid combined with drawing options; observational learning in the first pari of the training; and dyad trainer-trainee performance. These tools were examined by using a 3-D puzzle task and different training settings (computerized training, AR training, etc.). Three experimental studies demonstrate that although these tools were preferable for trainers and trainees, and required less cognitive load during training, they impaired non-supervised perfom1ance. These findings suggest that when designing training platforms, using sophisticated visual communication aids should be considered very carefully given their potentially negative effects on active exploration processes and training quality..