A key challenge facing Infantry training systems is the lack of integrated instructional capabilities. Most existing training systems provide a venue for performing operational tasks yet lack the critical elements that distinguish practice from training; appropriate instructional methods and strategies, individualized diagnosis of performance breakdowns, directed feedback, and remedial part-task training. Without the presence of an instructor, feedback is mostly limited to outcome of results. Further, without the presence of a trained instructor, the appropriate types of pedagogical techniques suitable for the types of skills and issues observed are not optimized. This is a challenge as training is extended from schoolhouses to units where small unit leaders are serving as instructors. While leaders possess the highest task expertise, they may not be trained on identifying and applying the most appropriate pedagogical strategies to increase training effectiveness and efficiency. One approach to mitigate this gap is to embed supportive pedagogical strategies in training systems to assist instructors.

This paper describes the integration of a pedagogically informed instructor support capability, the Enhanced Instructor System (EIS), within the Augmented Immersive Team Trainer (AITT), an augmented reality training system under development that is suitable for training artillery call for fire skills. The EIS design is based on the zone of proximal development (ZPD) approach, which pinpoints areas of skill development where trainees benefit most from instructional support (e.g., scaffolding). While the ZPD concept is straightforward, its application in simulation-based skill training presents unique challenges, including: 1) how to operationally assess and identify the ZPD for skills in a simulation environment and 2) how to select the most appropriate scaffolding strategy given the observed performance. The theoretical foundations of ZPD and its assessment, challenges to instantiate this approach in simulation training systems, and approaches to overcome these challenges are discussed.