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June 2016 www.coalage.com 49 escape training continued Introducing PaneLite™, Polydeck's new series of screen panels that contain a proprietary composite insert in place of the traditional steel one. This latest innovation reduces panel weight by 2 pounds per square foot while retaining excellent strength. PaneLite™ screen panels have also exhibited extended wear life and increased anti-pegging characteristics in some applications. Contact your Polydeck representative to see if there's a PaneLite™ screen panel to ft your screening needs. Call us at 1-864-579-4594 or visit polydeckscreen.com/coal to fnd the Polydeck Regional Manager in your area. Insert made of composite material vs. steel reduces panel weight. weeks on end, trainers became very familiar with the typical answers train- ees gave in discussion. This familiarity tempted them to cut discussion in favor of a lecture, which enabled them to fin- ish the debrief more quickly, even when there was no pressure from the sched- ule to do so. This pitfall is not unique to computer-based simulations, but it is perhaps an easier trap to fall into with simulations such as MEET because the software allows trainers to simply launch the replay and let the technolo- gy drive the debrief. To ward against this, one trainer held a discussion without referring to the computer at all. He turned off all computer monitors, moved to the cen- ter of the classroom, and started narrat- ing what he had seen. He would bring up a decision point he observed and ask the group to explain their thinking, and then bring in other groups, or add other information. Only after covering all the main points did he launch the escape playback. This approach took more effort, but by keeping focused on the trainees, the trainer drew more par- ticipation from the class and made sure the class members could take the learn- ing further. Conclusion Well-designed computer-based simula- tions give trainers new tools for teaching and assessing learning, which can be an advantage over tabletop and other types of simulations long used in the industry. NIOSH has been investigating the use of computer-based simulations for more than two decades, and has found them to be an effective means of developing safe- ty-related skills and knowledge. Using re- search-based practices for teaching prob- lem solving and decision-making such as those discussed above, trainers can incor- porate computer-based simulations into their safety and health training activities, leveraging the advantages of the technol- ogy while avoiding any accompanying pitfalls. To download MEET, instruc- tions and advice for its use in mul- tiplayer training, visit http://blogs. c d c . g o v / n i o s h - s c i e n c e b l o g / 2 0 1 6 / 05/12/mine-escape-simulation/. Con- tact Timothy Orr at TOrr@cdc.gov for more information Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the mine managers, trainers, and employees for their participation in this NIOSH research, and to acknowledge the contributions of the follow- ing NIOSH employees: Timothy J. Bauerle, William Helfrich, Cassandra L. Hoebbel, Jac- queline Jansky, Brendan MacDonald, Jason Navoyski, and Xander Phoenix. References Ambrose SA, Bridges MW, DiPietro M, Lovett MC, Norman MK. 2010. "How Learning Works: Seven Research-based Principles for Smart Teaching." San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. [www.cmu.edu/ teaching/news/howlearningworks.html] Brnich MJ Jr., Hall, EE., 2013. "Incorporating Judgment and Decision-making Into Quar- terly Mine Escape Training Based on a Mine Fire Scenario." Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser- vices, Public Health Service, Centers for Dis- ease Control and Prevention, National In- stitute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS Publication No. 2014-101 (RI 9692). [www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/Works/cover- sheet1869.html]