Strengthening Cognitive Skills: How ExpertEyes™ Revolutionizes Perceptual Skills Training

In our recent blog post, Demystifying the Cognitive Dimension, we explored key cognitive skills—such as sensemaking, problem detection, decision-making under pressure, and pattern recognition—that are part of the cognitive dimension and are critical for navigating complex situations. At ShadowBox, we specialize in designing engaging training programs to enhance these skills, leveraging innovative tools like our adaptable ShadowBox training method. Our web-based platform further supports this mission by offering unique features, including ExpertEyes™, a video-based training format designed to improve perceptual skill development and facilitate effective learning.

Perceptual skills enable us to make sense of challenging situations by detecting subtle signals, filtering irrelevant information, and quickly understanding context, often based on prior experience. Recognizing cues, patterns, and anomalies can help anticipate problems, develop workarounds, and adapt to recover from mistakes. ExpertEyes™, our patented and immersive experiential video-based simulation training, strengthens these abilities by exposing learners to realistic scenarios that build situational awareness, decision-making, and richer mental models. Unlike high-tech, AI-driven simulations focused on physical fidelity, ExpertEyes™ emphasizes high cognitive fidelity, embedding targeted cognitive and perceptual skills into engaging and affordable scenarios. Our CEO, John Schmitt, noted in a 2023 blog post outlining various types of fidelity training objectives — not the latest technological advances — should dictate the level of fidelity in training design. If your goal is to really get at and improve those cognitive skills, a training program that is high in cognitive fidelity should be the priority.

ExpertEyes™ is a training approach that allows learners to annotate critical cues in challenging, relevant scenarios. This feature integrates directly into our traditional scenario design, functioning similarly to another decision point. Here is how ExpertEyes™ works; learners dive into short action scenes in search of critical cues. These cues are primarily visual (e.g., you watch someone make a mistake) but could also be auditory cues (e.g., someone in the video may say something incorrectly or in a police de-escalation scenario, someone may start using victim language with a rising tone suggesting distrust with the police a higher likelihood for escalation), which may trigger the learner to identify the statement as a relevant cue. Learners click on the video to identify cues. At that point, learners have two options to choose from: ‘action’ or ‘observation.’ An action indicates that the learner noticed something in the video that requires immediate mitigation, prompting them to provide details about corrective steps they would take. By selecting observation, learners note that they observed a specific instance or behavior within the video and are again prompted to explain what stood out to them. Once they choose action or observation, they will click the screen again to identify the specific cue (Image 1) they noticed and provide their rationale (Image 2).

In accordance with all Shadowbox training, Subject matter feedback is crucial to ExpertEyes™ design and development. Regardless of the domain, our team works with field experts to develop our content. Another important feature of ExpertEyes™ is presenting learners with immediate feedback from a panel of subject matter experts (SMEs). After working through the video training themselves, learners may contrast their own results to those of the SME panel. Image 3 shows an example of how the SME cues are displayed. Learners can click on any of the teardrops (or cues) to see the SME insights compiled into a comprehensive expert perspective. This allows learners to compare their cues and annotations to those of the SMEs, fostering deeper learning and skill development.

ExpertEyes™ offers a unique approach to cognitive and perceptual skill development. By combining realistic scenarios, opportunities for learners to actively engage with critical cues and immediate expert feedback, this training tool empowers individuals to sharpen their abilities in a meaningful and practical way. At ShadowBox, we strive to help professionals across industries improve their cognitive skills through affordable, high-impact training solutions. With tools like ExpertEyes™, we aim to facilitate expedited learning, bridging the gap between novices and experienced practitioners so that your entire team is knowledgeable and confident in their decisions.

Interested in incorporating ExpertEyes™ into your training program?  We would love to hear from you!

References

Hoy, K. (2024, December 13). Demystifying the Cognitive Dimension. https://www.shadowboxtraining.com/news/2024/12/13/demystifying-the-cognitive-dimension/

Schmitt, J. (2023, February 14). Thoughts on Training Fidelity. https://www.shadowboxtraining.com/news/2023/02/14/thoughts-on-training-fidelity/