Using learning content management systems as highly adaptive and efficient supporting tool for (recurrent) training — an applied perspective

The nature of the daily security business at airports (e.g. fast changing regulations) demands more and more flexible training and communication solutions for security officers at airports. Classical classroom training is a proven way for (re-training, but alternative tools, in particular e-solutions, could be taken into account more often to support the classical method of training. In this paper, the high potential of learning content management systems for increasing airport security from a human factors perspective is discussed. Using e-solutions for (re-)training, as a tool for supporting briefings, or as a quality control tool (e.g. the implementation of computer-based knowledge tests) is not only cost saving. It is also a fast and highly adaptive procedure, which should be integrated within the daily routine of a security officer's working day (similar to the computer-based training for the detection of forbidden items in baggage (e.g. X-Ray Tutor) which was implemented at Zurich Airport several years ago). One of the most obvious advantages of e-solutions is the fast and broad accessibility for security officers, provided that the necessary infrastructure is available. Another advantage is that security officers can take a training module whenever workload is low. Moreover, individual training progress can be taken into account and users are free to repeat a training module as often as desired. Quality tests can be implemented at each step during the training course in order to make sure that the content is fully understood. Thus, controlling of training progress and recurrent training modules gets simplified. In large organizations, where personal communication inevitably gets more and more complicated, e-learning systems form an especially strong management instrument, provided that they are used in a didactically meaningful manner and that usability criteria are considered. One important insight gained by using e-learning for (restraining is - as for other technical tools, e.g. Xray equipment - that the benefit of e-solutions is limited by the end users' individual computer skills and not by technical constraints.